Enugu, Sept. 16, 2026 — EISPAT, the emerging Enugu International Spare Parts and Allied Trades Park, is steadily transforming what was once a thick forest on the outskirts of the state capital into a major commercial and industrial hub, with roads, drainage systems, buildings and other infrastructure taking shape across the expansive site.
The development is part of the Enugu State Government’s plan to provide a modern and organised environment for automobile spare-parts dealers, mechanics, technicians and other allied businesses, while creating a new destination for traders currently operating in the congested Coal Camp environment.
Forest Guard Gets Strategic Base
A significant step towards the operationalisation of EISPAT came on Monday when the state government formally handed over a command building and other support infrastructure to the Enugu State Forest Guard.
The facility will serve as a tactical base for the Forest Guard, providing security for the emerging park and its surrounding environment as the government prepares for the relocation of traders and the commencement of economic activities.
For the Commissioner for Trade, Investment and Industry, Dr Sam Ogbu-Nwobodo, the security presence is an important component of Governor Peter Mbah’s broader development mandate.
Ogbu-Nwobodo, who has been closely involved in the development of EISPAT, said the government’s vision went beyond establishing another market.
According to him, mechanics, electricians, automobile technicians and other skilled workers would also operate within the park, making security and a properly organised environment essential to sustainable economic development.
“This has just been a godsend, and I cannot commend and thank His Excellency, the governor, enough for approving and directing that the Forest Guard be the first security apparatus to be located here,” Ogbu-Nwobodo said.
The commissioner added that other security and regulatory agencies, including the police and relevant federal institutions, were expected to establish a presence at the park.
December Target for Economic Activities
Ogbu-Nwobodo expressed optimism that actual economic activities at EISPAT would begin before the end of the year, with December set as the government’s target.
He recalled that when work began in November 2024, the site was a “full-time forest”, presenting contractors with considerable challenges.
“We had to arrest the forest. We have to secure it with a perimeter fence going around,” he said.
The approximately 153-hectare site has since undergone extensive development, including perimeter fencing, about 9.8 kilometres of roads and drainage infrastructure.
The transformation, Ogbu-Nwobodo said, demonstrates the administration’s determination to translate Governor Mbah’s development agenda into physical infrastructure and economic opportunities.
Beyond Spare Parts Trading
The vision for EISPAT, however, extends beyond conventional buying and selling of automobile parts.
Ogbu-Nwobodo disclosed that the Nigerian Automotive Design and Development Council (NADDC) had been attracted to establish a training institute within the park.
The institute is expected to train young people and industry participants in conventional automobile technology as well as emerging electric-vehicle technology.
The commissioner said such facilities would help create an ecosystem where commerce, technical skills, technology and investment could develop around the automobile sector.
He also said the master plan envisaged businesses, industries and other economic activities emerging around the park.
He urged stakeholders to communicate clearly to traders and the public that the new market was intended to become a permanent home for automobile spare-parts and allied trades in the state.
Traders Set for Ownership Opportunity
For traders who have operated for years in the congested Coal Camp environment, the proposed relocation represents more than simply changing their business address.
Ogbu-Nwobodo said the new arrangement would provide traders with opportunities to own shops instead of relying entirely on rented premises.
Such ownership, he explained, could provide traders with assets that may subsequently be leveraged to raise capital and expand their businesses.
“The traders cannot wait; they seem to want to move in as quickly as possible,” he said.
The commissioner said the government was therefore working towards creating the conditions necessary for traders to move into EISPAT and begin operating in a safer, more organised and modern environment.
Forest Guard and Governor Mbah’s Security Vision
The Commander of the Enugu State Forest Guard, Dr Olasoji Olatunji Akinbayo, a retired Deputy Commissioner of Police, said the deployment was part of Governor Peter Mbah’s broader security vision for the state.
Akinbayo recalled that the governor had directed the deployment of Forest Guard personnel to the area following security concerns, including kidnapping incidents around the environment.
He said the absence of accommodation for personnel initially posed a challenge, prompting the governor to direct him to liaise with the Ministry of Trade and Investment to secure accommodation at the developing park.
According to the commander, Forest Guard personnel deployed to the area have undergone specialised training in tactical operations, rescue procedures and other security responsibilities.
He added that the command was connected to the state’s command and control centre, while personnel had been equipped with body cameras and other operational equipment.
“We, the Forest Guard, are ready to provide the security wherever we are needed,” Akinbayo said.
He said the personnel currently deployed to the area would continue to evolve as the command expanded its operations.
Enugu Forest Guard Academy Planned
Akinbayo also disclosed a significant development in the state government’s plans to professionalise and strengthen the Forest Guard — the proposed establishment of a Forest Guard Academy in Enugu State.
According to him, the design and costing for the academy had already been prepared.
The proposed academy is expected to provide a structured platform for training and professional development of Forest Guard personnel, strengthening the corps’ capacity to respond to security and environmental challenges across the state.
Akinbayo appealed to young people in communities to consider joining the Forest Guard, particularly residents who understand their communities and can respond quickly to security emergencies.
Stakeholders Welcome Development
The Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Trade and Investment, Mr Ifeanyi Onah, described the handover as a welcome development.
Onah said the state had a broad plan for expanding the automobile spare-parts and allied-trades sector and expressed optimism that the environment would become increasingly attractive as additional infrastructure and facilities were completed.
The project’s consultant, Prof. Okafor, also expressed hope that the Forest Guard’s presence would help reduce criminal activities around EISPAT.
He urged the command to collaborate with presidents-general, community leaders and neighbourhood watch groups to strengthen security around the park.
The ENSIEC Commissioner, Obiora George Ani Esq., said the project was located on approximately 153 hectares of land donated by the Nsude and Ogwofia Owa communities.
Ani commended the state government for pursuing the relocation of traders from Coal Camp to the new market.
EISPAT and Mbah’s Development Agenda
For the Enugu State Government, EISPAT is emerging as more than a relocation project.
The combination of roads, drainage, perimeter security, a Forest Guard command, planned automotive training facilities and the proposed Forest Guard Academy reflects an integrated approach linking infrastructure, commerce, skills development and security.
At the centre of the EISPAT effort is the administration’s broader development agenda under Governor Peter Mbah, with Ogbu-Nwobodo’s Ministry of Trade, Investment and Industry working to translate that mandate into a functioning economic hub.
As construction advances and preparations intensify for the movement of traders, EISPAT is gradually moving from an ambitious government project towards an operational commercial destination — one expected to reshape automobile and allied trading in Enugu while opening new opportunities for business ownership, skills development and investment.
“EISPAT is taking shape as Enugu deploys Forest Guard security, targets December operations and plans automotive training and a Forest Guard Academy.”
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