Waltersmith, UNIDO, UNECA plan industrial park for Imo State
By Dikachi Franklin, in Owerri
Waltersmith Petroman Nigeria Limited, an indigenous oil company and United Nations Industrial Development Organisation (UNIDO), in collaboration with the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (UNECA) will build an industrial park in Ohaji /Egbema local government area of Imo State.
According to Chikezie Nwosu, the chief executive officer (CEO) of Waltersmith, the building of the industrial park is in line with the corporate social responsibility (CSR) of Waltersmith.
He made the disclosure at the official ceremony which marked the end of the Waltersmith technical skills acquisition programme for 47 graduates from Ohaji/Egbema, the company’s host local government area.
Nwosu said the industrial park, when completed, would attract petrochemical industry, pharmaceutical research, as well as offer light manufacturing companies that feed off the hydrocarbon value chain to be built.
“The industrial park is being developed with the support of the United Nations Industrial Development Organisation and United Nations Economic Commission for Africa as part of Nigeria’s country programme with the ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment,” he said.
He underlined that the park “is not just an industrial park but an industrial park with a difference “.
The CEO expressed happiness over the manner the 47 youths behaved during the training, and disclosed employment opportunities for them in the refinery could come for them in phases.
Meanwhile, Goodluck Nana Opiah, the special adviser and coordinator to Governor Hope Uzodimma on oil and gas, applauded the efforts of the company and said, “apart from insecurities, unemployment is one issue bedeviling the nation. Waltersmith is honoured when it comes to signing Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with host communities and its implementations as the need arises.
“The scheme will help in socio economic development of the state and Nigerian nation at large,” he added.
Opiah, who was also the guest speaker, said “Waltersmith has proved to be a worthy partner in the development of its host community”.
But Opiah was against the attitude of some companies for their deliberate refusal to enter into MoU with their host communities and that where such existed or where signed they could not implement it.
Eriye Onagoruwa, the company’s external affairs and government relations manager, while making her remarks, commended the participants, especially for their commitment, discipline, as well as dedication to their training.
Advising that the, “best investment any company or nation can do is in knowledge through capacity building. You must maximise the knowledge potentials exposed to you, build up on it and advance on it,” she said.