….Igwe Okefi laments power outage in Oji Urban
From Maurice Okafor, Enugu
A new Oil and Gas company with vernacular name ‘Ije Ego’ Oil and Gas,has successfully scaled through the rigorous pains to be registered by the Corporate Affairs Commission(CAC) among the new indigenous Oil companies operating in Nigeria.
The Chief Executive Officer/Managing Director, Mr Ikechukwu Chukwuduba said he decided to establish the gas plant in the semi urban axis of Enugu state,as his own contribution in gingering the tide of development in the rural areas,creating more towns in Enugu state and enhancing job opportunities for the rural dwellers.
Mr Chukwuduba’s initiatives is in line with the clarion call by Ohanaeze Ndigbo, which is the apex body of all Igbo socio cultural organizations for Igbos in diaspora to think home and promote South East economy by investing in the zone.
Speaking to newsmen at the official opening of ‘Ije Ego’ Oil and Gas plant, located at Plot 14 Dodo layout,Oji River,on Sunday, March 23rd,Mr Chukwuduba said he is very much aware that he will be making more money if has built the gas plant in Enugu or any other township in Nigeria but decided to establish the first gas plant of his company at Dodo Oji River for the comfort and accessibility of the people.
He stated, “It is wise to start luring investments into our country. I have some other investments in Enugu metropolis and it is good to establish some of our investments at Oji River local government area,to uplift our people and to develop our communities”
He assured that by the special grace of God,more branches of the Oil and Gas plant will be established.
The official opening ceremony of Ije Ego Oil and Gas plant at Dodo Oji River was extra ordinary. It started with a Thanksgiving service to express God’s grace and mercies upon the entire Chukwuduba’s family,at St. Andrews Anglican Church Ahani-Achi,Oji River local government area before the official opening ceremony at Dodo layout, Oji River where the gas plant is located.
Ordained priests from both Anglican and Catholic denominations also offered prayers to mark the official opening ceremony of the gas plant located at Plot 14,Dodo layout, Oji River.
Thereafter,the CEO/Managing Director,Mr Ikechukwu Chukwuduba conducted his guests to the various departments of the gas station which includes the security post and security tower at the gate,the accessories store.comprising of gas cylinders,gas burners, nozzles,etc and administrative offices
Others include the filing station, the metering house,Plant house, Power house and an overhead gas tank.
A functional borehole in the compound makes usage and accessibility of water always available.
A functional and a stand by Generator were also provided by the management to enhance 24 hour operation.
Another good feature of the official opening ceremony of Ije Ego Oil and Gas plant,on Sunday March 23rd was the fact that cooking gas was sold to customers at subsidized price per liter.
The manager,Mr Ajeh Sunday Abel said up to 100 customers benefited from the largesse.
Dignatories who graced the occasion comprising of the Clergy, Traditional rulers, politicians, business men and civil servants,poured encomiums on Mr Ikechukwu Chukwuduba for bringing such huge Investment into Oji River, particularly in Dodo axis of Oji River,stating it will solve the problem of distance in purchase of gas by the residents.
Chief Akaoma Jideaku, a friend of the Managing Director promised to be sending a monthly subvention of fifty thousand naira to the security officials in the area to enhance their operations in safeguarding the establishment.
The President General of Ahani Achi autonomous community, Hon.Kingsley Ezeh, also commended Mr Chukwuduba for investing in Oji River local government area and pleaded with other illustrious sons of Oji River to also think home.
The Igwe of Oji River Urban,HRH Igwe Oliver Okefi, extolled Mr Chukwuduba for surmounting the challenges for his dream of establishing an oil company to become a reality.
Igwe Okefi further commended him for bringing the invest home,stating Oji River desires more indigenous investors to fast track development of the town. However, he condemned power outage in Oji Urban which had lasted for more than three weeks.
He lamented that the ugly development has degenerated rate of economic activities in the town.
He said that Oji Urban posseses a lot of potentials to contribute positively in the goal of raising the growth domestic product of Enugu state from four million dollars to 30 million dollars,which is the dream of Governor Peter Mbah led administration in Enugu state.
He said they are welcoming private sector initiatives into Oji River to consolidate on the state government Development agenda in the town, but the derail of EEDC in maintaining steady supply of power in the town may constitute a set back.
He tasked EEDC to do the need in restoring effective power supply to OJi Urban.
He stated,”At a point we are pleading with indigenous entrepreneurs to open their business outfits in Oji River, we are traumatized with total power outage for almost one month,EEDC should do the needful”,Igwe Okefi stated.
End.
Joe Abuchi
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