By Adaobi Nsofor :
Anambra State Government is set to establish a Bentonite Processing Factory, leveraging the area’s vast Bentonite deposits to empower citizens through industrialization and wealth creation.
Prof. Charles O. Ofoegbu, Managing Director/CEO of Anambra State Solid Minerals Development Company Limited (ANSSMDCL), led an inspection visit to the donated land for the factory in Achalla-agu, Nteje, Oyi Local Government Area, accompanied by agency officials and community representatives.
The ASSMDCL boss, after the inspection and handover of about 7 hectares of land in Nteje noted that the state government aims to formalise the partnership with the Nteje community to harness the area’s vast Bentonite deposits for the production of oil and water based Bentonite needed in Petroleum and water drilling.
Prof. Ofoegbu stated that the project will lead to industrialization and overall development of the Community which has already received the approval of Governor Chukwuma Soludo, and work on the project is expected to take off in January, 2025.
The President General of the Community, Dr Nnamdi Iloduba thanked the delegations and expressed the readiness of the town to play host to the government when the work kicks off.
Chairman, Achalla-agu Nteje, Mr Igwebuike Nwoye and Chairman, Oji Ani Nteje, Chief Francis Uchendu in their separate interviews, expressed their excitement and commended the state governor for bringing such a huge project to their community.
They were hopeful that the project would bring about massive development and industrialization to their community, while reducing unemployment and criminalities among the youths. They further assured the workers that would be working at the factory and officials of the government of their safety.
- Nsofor is of the Ministry of Information, Anambra State *