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| Benedict Oramah, president of Afreximbank and Peter Mbah, governor of Enugu |
The African Export-Import Bank, Afreximbank, has committed to supporting the vision and agenda of the Governor Peter Mbah administration in Enugu State through the financing of several key projects to drive development and investment in the state.
The bank said its Interest in Enugu State stemmed from the
vision Mbah had espoused and the work he was doing in the state, which it said,
were in line with the bank’s goals and objectives for the rapid development of
the African continent, noting that anything good that happens to Nigeria,
inextricably happens to Africa.
These were made known by the President of Afreximbank, Prof.
Benedict Oramah, during a working visit to the Government House, Enugu,
Tuesday, describing Mbah’s investment and development drive as impressive,
adding, “Whenever we see a leader take such solid and courageous steps, we
fall in line because it makes our work much easier”.
Oramah said: “We have been discussing how to support the
Enugu State government and people. Today is the 2nd of January. So, this is
the first official assignment I would do in 2024. It is remarkable for me and
it speaks a whole lot about our friendship and also the confidence in the work
you are doing and the vision you have, not only for this great state, but also
for our country, Nigeria.
“We also thank you for the wisdom of visiting us in Cairo
and having an extensive discussion on the development priorities of your
government. We share in most of those priorities. In fact, I think the
strategic thinking you have shown is still out of the book of our own,
especially in how we believe that sub-nationals can contribute to the
development aspirations of our country, Nigeria, and our continent.
“I know we have identified specific areas, where we intend
to quickly advance collaboration. We want to take a look at the hotel and the
Conference Centre that is under development to work with you and see how
quickly we can complete them.
“We also are very interested in supporting the development
of the new terminal at the airport and especially the cargo and, of course,
using it as a base to implement and grow an agro-processing zone. The airport
will be critical in getting that done.
We also think that the work that is being done at the
hospital is nice. We are working on the African Medical Centre of Excellence.
We are building one in Abuja. So, it is in that spirit that we will be looking
at that medical centre to see how we can bring it into the circle.
“We are also interested in considering the development of
solid minerals in Enugu State. We would follow that very closely to see also
how we can play a role.
“There are a number of infrastructural projects, roads that
not only connect us, but also all the way to Cameroun. And that is why I think
we have agreed that we put in place their preparation facility so that we can
begin to develop bankable values for those aspects of interventions that we
share as priorities.
“I want to assure you that you can count on us because we
believe in the vision you have and we believe that those things that you have
identified are things that will shape this state and also our country, Nigeria,
and continent.
“Nigeria is not only the largest shareholder of
Afreximbank, but also the largest economy on the continent. So, everything that
happens to Nigeria, happens to Africa. So, for us, anything we can do to make
Nigeria great is something that helps us to make Africa great.
“So, it is our hope that by the end of 2024, we can point to
some of these projects as completed projects or projects nearing completion
for the benefit of Enugu State people, for the benefit of Nigeria, benefit of
Africa, and of course, benefit of Afreximbank.”
Speaking, Governor Peter Mbah, who appreciated the
Afreximbank President and his team for prioritising Enugu State in bank’s plans
and development support, reiterated the determination of his administration to
grow the state’s economy from $4.4 billion to $30 billion, assuring that the
Enugu State government would play its own part to ensure the actualisation of
those pinpointed infrastructure to drive investment and grow the Enugu State
and the nation’s economy.
Mbah also listed the steps taken by his administration to
de-risk investment and promote ease of doing business in the state.
“Our aim is to make Enugu State the premier destination for
investment. We are determined to make it easy for the investors to come in. So,
we are highly impressed and very happy about the collaboration with
Afreximbank and its affiliates. We have truly looked forward to this day
because all that is lacking in everything we have said here is the necessary
financial support. But with the assurances we are getting from you and with the
zeal we both have in realising or accomplishing these projects, I have no doubt
in my mind that our partnership will become a model”, Mbah stated.
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