CEO, Enpower Free Trade Zone Management Company, Mr. Emeka Eneh; Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi of Enugu State; his  deputy, Mrs. Cecilia Ezeilo; Head of Mission, Czech Republic, Mrs. Hana Klucaroua; and the Speaker of the State House of Assembly, Hon. Edward Ubosi, during the ground-breaking ceremony for Enugu Free Trade Zone at Emene, Enugu

… As Enpower Free Trade Zone’s groundbreaking holds in state

 The Governor of Enugu State, Hon. Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi has said that
the establishment of the Enpower Free Trade Zone in the state
necessitates the construction of a second runway at the Akanu Ibiam
International Airport, Enugu.

 Governor Ugwuanyi who spoke at the groundbreaking ceremony of the
Enpower Free Trade Zone in Enugu, noted that such construction would
create room for the expected increase in air traffic at the airport.

 The governor further appealed to the federal government to ensure that
the airport meets all internationally accepted standards particularly
with regard to the length and resurfacing of the existing runway, and
installing of facilities that would improve night operations and
accommodate heavier aircrafts normally used for international and
intercontinental travel.

 In his words, “the Enpower Free Trade Zone Enugu which is a
Public-Private Partnership with the Enugu State Government was
licensed by the Federal Government in December 2015. It is the only
free trade zone in the South East region that offers international and
domestic investors an easy link to businesses from the south eastern
cluster which has been acclaimed as the second largest economic
cluster in Nigeria after the Lagos cluster.”

 According to the governor, “today’s ceremony marks another giant leap
in our drive for foreign investment as well as the economic
diversification roadmap of Enugu state, the South East and that of the
country in general".

 Commending President Muhammadu Buhari for endorsing the project,
Ugwuanyi appealed to the Federal Government to intervene in
the rehabilitation of federal roads in the South East particularly
those linking the capital cities of the region
most of which are in deplorable conditions.

 He also made a case for the revival of railway network linking the
South East states and the opening of new lines to other parts of the
country, including the development of inland ports and jetties in the
region to enhance maritime activities.

 Earlier, the Deputy Head of Mission at the Czech Republic Embassy in
Nigeria, Mrs. Hana Klucarova, said that her country would partner and
work with the Enugu State government in order to make the free trade
zone a success.

 Also speaking, the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of
Enpower Enugu State Free Trade Zone, Engr. Emeka Eneh, said the
project would stimulate trade and investment beyond oil when
operational as well as provide massive opportunities for employment.

 He explained that of the 35 operational free trade zones in the
country, Enpower Enugu Free Trade Zone located near the Akanu Ibiam
International Airport Enugu and its 9th Mile Corner annex is the first
free trade zone to be established in the South East zone. He further
thanked everyone who helped in making the dream conceived about a
decade ago come true, especially  Ugwuanyi who he described as
a visionary leader.