By Adaobi Nsofor :
Achalla, in Awka North Local Government and Nteje in Oyi Local Government Areas of Anambra State are set to witness the presence of the state government industries in their various communities, following the discovery of capt Oil wells and Solid Mineral deposits in the communities.
Speaking during the sensitization visit to these communities as part of the enumeration exercise for oil wells and solid minerals deposits in the state, the MD, Anambra State Solid Minerals Development Company and Anambra State Petroleum and Energy Resources Limited, Prof.Charles O.Ofoegbu hinted that the state has embarked on an inventory of all the solid minerals and oil wells in the state for the purpose of industrialization, growth and development of the state.
In Achalla, Prof.Ofoegbu noted that Anambra State has a lot of capt oil wells yet untapped and the government is now ready to secure and acquire them, and to be fully part of the oil producing states in the federation.
He noted that his team has already discovered some abandoned oil wells located at Igbariam, Aguleri among other locations and the essence of developing these oil wells is to generate energy for electricity, and have industrial clusters within the state which will in turn, bring huge development and employment opportunities.
While listing the hazardous effects of unregulated mining activities in the community as well as tampering of oil wells, Prof. Ofoegbu urged the community members to keep off from the areas being mapped out.
He further warned that any attempt to uncapt these wells could be disastrous as there may be blow out. He also requested for adequate security for the team at the start of work in their various units.
Responding, the Traditional Ruler of Achalla community, Igwe Ositadinma Nwokedi said that in as much as it is a welcome development in the sense that it will give the community a face-lift, the team should exercise patience to enable them put in place all the necessary security needed following the recent kidnappings and insecurities that erupted in the community.
Igwe Nwokedi also promised he will put in place a community vigilante team that will work with panel of experts to ensure adequate security and smooth operation of the projects.
He mentioned that erosion is seriously ravaging the community roads, and believed that if the roads are fixed, it will facilitate the security of the whole community.
At Nteje, Prof. Ofoegbu announced the need for a processing plant following the discovery of a huge deposits of Bentonite that is currently being illegally mined in their community.
“What the government wants to do is to partner with the communities that have these solid mineral deposits so it can be used for industrialization. The governor wants to build an industry where these minerals will be processed and mined scientifically and technically so it will benefit the state
“We have the raw materials at Nteje for both oil and water based Bentonite, the water based is for drilling water while the oil based is for drilling oils by the oil companies and that is why we want to set up a Processing Plant here so it will be properly utilized,” Prof Ofoegbu added.
He further reminded them that mining was suspended in the state and now undergoing total reformation. He therefore called on the miners to form a Mining Coperatives that will comprise of ten persons each, whereby they will be issued mining certificate under one cadastral unit which must be signed and approved by the governor.
The President General of Nteje community, Dr Nnamdi Iloduba, who stood in for the Traditional ruler while expressing happiness over the recent development, stated that the community is ever ready to partner and cooperate with the state government. He also assured the team of optimum security at the kick off of the field project.
Meanwhile, the two communities promised to make available the 20 plots of land or more needed for the building of the various projects as Igwe Nwokedi on his part, is ready to provide additional seven hectares of land if so demanded.
* Nsofor is of the Ministry of Information, Anambra State *