ANAMBRA STATE, IS A MINERAL RESOURCEFUL STATE WITH MANY POTENTIALS FOR INVESTORS
Anambra state is undoubtedly illuminating perfectly in various sectors of the economy just like its epithet; Light of the nation. Richly blessed from the goal-getter, and clever indigenes to the arable soil adorned with assorted mineral resources, Anambra state has and is setting unattainable world records, breaking bounds and soaring to extraordinary heights.
Despite the obvious blessings of mineral resources endowed in the star, it took the Federal Government of the country quite a number of years and proficient efforts of convincing to officially recognize her as an oil-producing state in Nigeria. This delay ultimately decelerated investments that the oil-producing counterparts had long acquired. Through this means, they had been immensely contributing their quota of resources to the country, leaving Anambra state with little to contribute in regards to oil.
After the long-awaited recognition, Anambra state unlike most states is now looking into exploiting other mineral resources it possesses asides from oil.
Ahmed Zaki Yamani the former petroleum minister of Saudi Arabia once said; The stone age did not end because of a lack of stones and the oil age will end long before the world runs out of oil. With the current globalization and advancement of science and technology, it should be a surprise to anyone that most developed countries’ attention is now gearing towards natural gas and renewable energy rather than just oil. Don’t get me wrong, oil is still very much in use but should other mineral resources be sidelined?
Asides from crude oil, the Anambra state is equally endowed with Natural gas, Bauxite, Ceramics, Bentolin, Tantamite etc. Bauxite is a sedimentary reddish rock that comprises aluminum oxide, iron oxide, silica and titanium. Natural gas is fossil energy that is formed within the earth’s surface. When extracted, it contains water, methane, carbon dioxide, hydrogen sulphide, helium, and nitrogen. Nowadays, the world’s usage of natural gas has tripled over the overwhelming advantage it carries and commercial quantities of this gas can be found in Anambra state. Ceramic deposits are found in Ozubulu, Ukpor, Ayamelum, Ekwusigo, Nnewi South, Ihiala etc. It has a variety of uses including making wall tiles, sanitary wares and so on.
For the adequate implementation of this mineral resources exploitation and acceleration of the state’s economy, the Governor of Anambra State; Governor Charles Chukwuma Soludo appointed the first-ever commissioner for Petroleum and Mineral Resources Hon. Commissioner Barr. Tony Ifeanya to anchor this mission of revenue actualization.
Now, the state is currently fishing for investments from indigenes and non-indigenes, citizens and non-citizens to lift up the economy of the state and in the long run assist the country in catching up with the world trend of development, growth, and revenue expansion.
