By David Stephen.
President Goodluck Jonathan on Thursday, August 30th commissioned a new oil refinery and a brewery in Anambra state. He did this in style, in company of the state governor – Peter Obi, a host of dignitaries and the people. The projects are nearly completed and operations will fully commence in a few months. Reports have attributed meaningful contribution of the Anambra government towards development of the projects, with some including personal travels by the governor.
The Refinery, built by Nigerian owned “Orient Petroleum” will be served by oil wells – OPL 15 and 16 – in the Anambra territory. It is expected to refine around 20,000 barrels of oil a day by the end of 2013, and up to 55,000 in future, according to the Chairman, Chief Emeka Anyaoku. The refinery will also create jobs in the state and boost per capita GDP in Anambra.
The brewery, SAB-Miller Breweries, is a South African owned, Fortune 500 company that has invested around $100million into the project. The Anambra government has a 10% stake in the project and 12.5% is owned by indigenous entrepreneurs. The brewery should directly employ around 750 youths, and 4,500 people through its subsidiary distribution company “Interfact Nigeria Limited”, according to an estimate in Vanguard Newspaper.
These steps for any government, towards the real sector and employment generation are necessary, as performance indicators. A number of people as a result of these projects will become employed, while some others will get higher job positions in their career. The Anambra government should be lauded for this, even as other state governments should pursue similar moves in development.
