Investment opportunities in Enugu State
The 1991 census figure puts the population of Enugu State at 3,161,295. Enugu is an agricultural state with widespread cultivation of yams, cassava and rice engaging the attention of about 80 percent of the population. Other products cultivated largely include Maize, Pigeon pea, melon, kolanut, cashew and castor oil seeds. The state has abundant reserve of oil palm which produces palm oil, palm kernel oil and palm kernel cake, all major raw materials for the manufacture of margarine, soaps, comestics, crayon and other cooking fats.
Animal husbandry thrives very well in the state including piggery, poultry and rabbitery. These animals are produced in large numbers.
To harness the agricultural potentials of the state, its government has established various schemes to develop some products. Some of these programs include the Palm for Palm scheme aimed at encouraging the development of farm produce by making improved palm seedlings available to farmers for planting. A more recent program is the Operation feed Yourself launched in 1994. To enhance the programme, the state government imported 550 irrigation pumps to be distributed to farmers and farmers co-operatives to sensitise them to the need for all-season farming.
There is also the Enugu State Agricultural Development Project (EADP) which handles agricultural extension services including organising training and workshops for farmers.
Mineral Resources
Enugu State is richly blessed with mineral deposits, some of which are in large commercial quantities. Chief among these are: coal, limestone, silica iron ore, lead/zinc, clay/kaolin, pyrite and natural gas/petroleum. Some of these resources are already being exploited while other deposits, though proven to be in large quantities, are yet to be exploited. Coal, which was one of the largest export products of Nigeria is in large reserves in Ezimo and Enugu areas of the state. Enugu gained its popularity through this mineral and is today known as Coal City
The state has some large modern industries and local/traditional ones, which dates to antiquity. Although their level of production is small-scale yet these local industries are lucrative ventures which could be improved upon. They include ceramics, an industry which produces household utensils,plates and pots of different designs. Fine pottery and ceramic wares are always available at Achi, Inyi and Ngwo. Palm fronds, rafia and fibres are the major raw materials for mats and baskets industry, which thrives in the Awgu Division of the state. Others include blacksmithing, cloth weaving/dying and wood - carving.
Some of the large-scale industrial concerns are coal mining at Iva valley, Enugu, cement production at Nkalagu by Nigeria Cement Company and the production of other building materials such as roofing sheets and abestos tiles, pipe, quarry products, ceramic wares and paints by Enugu Building Materials Ltd. Ezzamgbo, Steel, and Aluminum plants are located at Emene and Ohebe-Dim respectively.
Other strategic plants are the Anambra Motor Manufacturing Company (ANAMCO), Emene, Enugu. This company adapts and manufactures various range of Mercedes Benz products such as Mercedes Benz trucks, buses and cars. Eastern Plastics Ltd (producers of plastic containers for various domestic applications) and Enugu Vegetable Oil Products Ltd which produces edible oil. There are several paint factories scattered all over the state. To enhance the industrial climate of the state, there are many financial houses. The peaceful atmosphere of the state capital, Enugu, and availability of some social facilities have endeared it to most of the banks which now use the city as the Regional Headquarters for their Eastern Zone operations.
To encourage prospective investors in the state, the government allocates industrial plots to them. One of the industrial villages is called Emene industrial layout. Its current tenants include ANAMCO, NIGERGAS, NIGERSTEEL, SUNRISE FLOUR MILLS, PRODA, Industrial Training Fund (ITF) EMENITE among others.
The proximity of Enugu Airport in this location is an added advantage to the business community. The government encourages investors by extending social utilities like water and electricity to the layout.
For further information please call the chief press Secretary to the governor, +042 - 458108 or the office of the commissioner for information- +042 253027