Governor of Enugu State, Dr. Peter Mbah, on Tuesday, flagged off the construction of the Nortra Tractor Assembly Plant and Service Centre, an investment by Denmark’s ODK Group, in Enugu city. On the same day, the governor also commissioned the New-Watson Doors Industry, established by a Chinese firm, at Nachi, Enugu State.
Flagging off the Nortra Tractor Plant, Governor Mbah emphasized the importance of the project to his administration’s vision of growing the state’s economy from $4.4bn to $30bn. He described the project as a step closer to realizing this goal.
“What we have gathered here to do today is not a mere symbolic act; it is certainly an act that takes us closer to the dream of having at least 1,000 tractors in Enugu State by next year,” Mbah said. He continued, “We have always said that Enugu is going to be that premier destination for investors to come. But we realized that, that will not happen just by wishing for it. Which is why what we see here today is Enugu State going that extra mile of making it attractive for investors to invest here.”
The governor further explained that the state had already placed an order for 1,000 tractors, with 200 of them to be assembled abroad and imported, while the remaining 800 would be assembled at the new plant. “It would have been easier for us to place an order for 1,000 tractors. But we did not see the value in that, which is why we are only getting 200 tractors already assembled and imported here. But the remaining 800 will be assembled right here in Enugu State,” he added.
A model of the tractors to be assembled by the plant.
Mbah also highlighted the economic benefits of such initiatives. “Initiatives like what we are doing with Nortra, not only create opportunities but will also stimulate our economy. It boosts that economic growth that we are expecting and creates employment for our people,” he said.
The Commissioner for Trade, Investment, and Industry, Adaora Chukwu, praised Enugu as the first African destination for ODK Group’s investment. She noted, “ODK Group’s specialization and reputation for manufacturing innovative and high-quality agricultural equipment will scale up agricultural production in the state.”
In his remarks, Professor Chika Anozie, a development expert, lauded the Enugu State government for taking bold steps toward industrialization. “This project is a game-changer for agriculture in Enugu. We are seeing visionary leadership at work,” Anozie said.
The Managing Director of Nortra Tractors, Mr. Philip Njoku, explained that the state was chosen because of its promising business environment. “We identified Enugu State as a state that is thriving powerfully in terms of innovation, commercialization, and everything you can think of in terms of development,” Njoku noted.
At the commissioning of the New-Watson Doors Industry in Nachi, Governor Mbah commended the Chinese firm for choosing Enugu. “The company was still contemplating which state to invest in when they met me in 2023, and I am pleased they believed in what we are doing to make Enugu State the preferred destination for investment,” Mbah said.
Governor Peter Mbah test driving a tractor
He reiterated his government’s commitment to creating an enabling environment for businesses, adding that Enugu would prioritize local companies like New-Watson in its procurement for large-scale projects, such as the construction of 260 Smart Green Schools and healthcare centers across the state.
Dr. Obi Nwankwo, a prominent industrialist, expressed confidence in the state’s industrial future. “Governor Mbah’s focus on creating an enabling environment and de-risking investments is commendable. Enugu is fast becoming the investment hub of Southeast Nigeria,” Nwankwo said.
Chen Shando, CEO of New-Watson, thanked the state government for its support. “We have received massive support from the government and the people of Enugu State,” Shando said, further expressing optimism about the firm’s future in the region.
Governor Mbah concluded by urging other investors, both from China and other parts of the world, to explore Enugu as a viable investment destination. GMTNewsng
