Abia chief executive, Dr Okezie Ikpeazu, has tasked Abians in the Diaspora to be fully involved in the economic and structural development of the state, warning that the era of armed chair critics unduly criticizing their home governments without making any meaning contribution to develop hemt has gone.
In his speech while commissioning a plant for the production of Medical and Industrial Oxygen built by a United States-based medical of doctor of Abia origin at Amapu Umunwulu in Obingwa LGA of Abia State, the Abia chief executive described the plant as the first of its kind in the state.
He extolled the vision and commitment of the investor to give Abians better lives and noted that the investment is one of the numerous dividends occasioned by the sustained peace and security that have characterized his administration.
Ikpeazu represented by his Chief of Staff, Chief Okey Ahiwe, encouraged other Nigerians in the Diaspora to think home and embark on investments that will add value to the citizens, even as he advised the host community to ensure adequate security of the oxygen plant.
The Abia governor assured Abians both at home and abroad that his administration will continue to partner with genuine investors who are interested in establishing economic activities that will help create jobs for the unemployed.
In his address, the Commissioner for Health, Dr Joe Osuji represented by the Permanent Secretary of the ministry, Mrs Franca Ekwueme stated that the oxygen plant has replicated other health facilities of the administration in the state, pointing out that it is a distinctive project aimed at strengthening the health system, with affordable and sustainable facilities.
In a goodwill message, a former deputy governor of the state, Rt Hon Eric Acho Nwakanma, thanked the governor for providing adequate security that has attracted foreign-based Investors to the state.
According to him, Ikpeazu’s administration has also reduced high unemployment rate and crime through the encouragement of local and foreign investments.
The Abia State Chairman of Private Hospital Doctors, Dr Ben Kuba said that the establishment of the oxygen plant in the state has reduced the risk of going to others states to source for oxygen and assured of the association’s readiness to partner with Neu-Dyx.
In his address, the Investor and CEO Neu-Dyx Global Investment Limited, Dr Emeka Nwakanma said he established the Medical and Industrial Oxygen Plant because of the ugly experiences patients go through in accessing oxygen in some hospitals in the state.
This, he observed, has resulted in the deaths of many Abia indigenes.
According to him, the company will produce purified medical oxygen made with stainless steel material at the percentage recommended by World Health Organization (WHO) at a reduced price, stressing that it will lessen the burden of hospital bills on patients.
Wife of the Governor, Dr Nkechi Ikpeazu, Commissioners for Trade and Investment in Abia State, Chief John Okiyi Kalu and other dignitaries at attended the event.
Uche Nwosu is a two time Shell Petroleum PLC award winner in the year 2000;
He won the Shell Award on Investigative Journalism and Environmental Cleanliness.
