Abia State on Thursday, got its first oxygen plant which would be producing Medical and Industrial Oxygen in the state.
The plant, located at Amapu Umunwulu Village, Isiala Mbato Autonomous Community in Obingwa Local Government Area was built by a United States of America-based medical practitioner, Dr. Emeka Nwakanma, through his company, Neu-Dyx Global Investment Limited.
The investor, in his address during the inauguration of the Oxygen Plant, on Thursday, said he was motivated to establish the Medical and Industrial Oxygen Plant following the ugly experiences patients and hospitals go through as a result of shortage of oxygen in the state.
Dr Nwaknma noted that the shortage of oxygen in the state has resulted in the high cost of the commodity and has also led to the death of some citizens.
He said that the company would be producing purified medical oxygen made with stainless steel material at the percentage recommended by World Health Organization at a reduced rate that would transcend to a lower cost burden to the patients that need them at the hospitals and for private use.
Commissioning the Oxygen Plant, the state governor, Dr. Okezie Ikpeazu, extolled the vision and commitment of the investor to give Abians better life and described the investment as one of the numerous dividends occasioned by the sustained peace and security that have characterized his administration.
Ikpeazu, represented by his Chief of Staff, Chief Okey Ahiwe, encouraged others in the diaspora to think home and embark on investments that will add value to the lives of the citizens and advised the host Community to ensure adequate security for the Oxygen Plant.
The Governor, while calling on other Abians living abroad to get involved in the economic development of the state, assured Abians, both at home and abroad, that his administration would continue to partner with genuine investors interested in establishing economic activities that would to lead job creation for the teeming Abia youths.
Earlier, the Commissioner for Health, Dr Joe Osuji, represented by the Permanent Secretary, Deaconess Franca Ekwueme, said the Oxygen Plant, the first to be established in the state, has replicated other health facilities of the Governor Ikpeazu administration in the state, noting that it was a distinctive project aimed at strengthening the health system.
In his goodwill message, a former Deputy Governor of the state, Rt. Hon. Eric Acho Nwakanma, thanked the Governor for providing adequate security that has attracted foreign-based Investors to the state, adding that such investments would help to reduce unemployment and crime rate.
Also, the State Chairman of Private Hospital Doctors, Dr Ben Kuba, said that the establishment of the Oxygen Plant in the state would reduced the risk of going to others states to source for oxygen and promised of their partnership with Neu-Dyx.
In her welcome address, the Obingwa Local Government Chairman, Mrs Uloma Nwogu, and Elder Chimezie Ikpeaba who spoke on behalf of the host community, thanked the investor for siting the project in their area, assuring him of adequate security while appealing for employment of their indigenes to work in the Plant.
Guests at the event were taken on a facility tour of the plant, with detailed explanations on the production processes.
Wife of the Governor, Dr Nkechi Ikpeazu, Commissioners for Trade and Investment, Chief John Okiyi Kalu and his Women Affairs counterpart, Mrs Joy Urenta, Executive Secretary of the Abia State Diaspora Commission, Dr. Mrs Ngozi Ogbonna-Erondu , as well as others, were present at the event.