The industrial revolution of the 1960s created special industrial zones and Emene was a planned industrial zone for Enugu state and South East Region.
Sunrise flour, Niger Gas, Niger Steel, Anamco and PPMC etc were industries thriving and driving development.
The foundation laid by the late premier of the eastern region M.I Okpara was solid and reliable but decades of neglect and lackadaisical attitude destroyed the industrial zones. Emene was abandoned.
Despite hosting the industrial blood of the state and zone. It was neglected. No one cared about Emene or the wasting away legacy assets of the state and region.
The industries closed, road infrastructure failed. Emene once the bubbling centre for medium and small scale industries became a shadow of itself.
From Thinkers corner to ifemelumma to Ukwuoji to Orie Emene to Eke Obinagu to Proda junction was an eyesore.
A manager manages things but a leader changes everything. Governor Peter Mbah saw opportunities in the decay and cavities of Emene and decided it’s time for bold decisions and quickly declared a state of emergency on the infrastructure deficits in Emene and breathed life into the once forgotten industrial hub.
The once shadow of neglect Nigergas limited turned a corner.
New equipment, new managers, everything turned around. Completely rehabilated.
Over 20 roads from Thinkers corner to ifemelumma to Destiny layout to Mainland to Apostle bus stop to Ukwuoji emenite road to Proda thus saving time and money for people doing merry go round from the old Abakaliki road Emene to join the dualized and reconstructed Enugu/ Abakaliki high way built by Enugu State government which has a new flyover bridge arguably one of the longest constructed by the federal government of Nigeria in record time.
The government is building a smart city in the Emene Industrial zone with a 16km dual carriageway with about 10 kilometres already completed.
This city will have the best infrastructure and it’s already 60 percent sold out.
The Akanu Ibiam airport Enugu has been concessioned and this means increased investment in aviation infrastructure thus boosting economic value chain in both regional and international trade and commerce.
The Emene Logistics Hub is another strategic out of the box infrastructure project coming to live in Emene industrial zone. Strategically located along the Enugu–Abakaliki Expressway, designed to boost trade and commerce in Enugu State.
As part of Governor Peter Mbah’s economic expansion, it will feature a central station to facilitate efficient goods movement and industrial development.
Haulage services and products warehousing for export is part of the second phase of the TIP transport infrastructure programme of the Enugu State government which intends to use the logistics hub to improve supply chain efficiency and improve better storage and movement of both agricultural and non agricultural products and services.
These hubs are already being constructed not only in Emene but also in 9th mile corner and Obollo Afor.
The government aims to use this to drive a uniformed one stop shop logistics hub with already successful CNG buses transporting hundred of thousands of our people will be complemented with a logistics hub that will aid in movement of goods and services in and out of Nigeria using Emene industrial zone as a take off point.
With infrastructure revamped and new cities created the vision of Michael Okpara is bearing fruits as governor Peter Mbah puts Emene and Enugu State back to the competitive world of business and commerce.
Eze Chinweuba
Mbuze 1 of Neke
