…pleads for gov’t assistance on road, electricity
By Jude Onyenedogha
The Chairman, Chief Executive Officer of Evergreen Pharmaceutical factory, Ndiowerre Village, Orlu Local Government Area of Imo State, Pharmacist Dr. Okechukwu Unogu has revealed that in the face of doubting odds, he was buoyed by passion and resilience to site the company in Orlu Local Government Area.
Dr. Unogu made this disclosure in his address during the visit of the Deputy Governor of Imo State, Lady Chinyere Ekomaru to the factory, Wednesday, during which he pleaded with the Imo State Government to come to their aid by constructing the Morning Star Road leading to the company and provision of electric power.
He said the decision to site the factory in the area was not an easy one, as it is a proven fact that Pharmaceutical manufacturing requires nearness to sister companies such as; packaging manufacturing companies, cartoning companies and vendors for Active Pharmaceutical Ingredients (API) and excipients, Pharmaceutical manufacturing machines and servicing instruments/equipment.
He listed some of the gigantic equipment installed to make the factory a reality in the rural area to include; Construction of a 35,000 liter capacity diesel underground storage tank, importation of Monstrous Caterpillar Generators and heavy-duty trucks from the USA, importation of huge DHPE Plastic Blow machines, among others.
The CEO enumerated some challenges confronting the factory to include; the astronomically plummeted exchange rate, the unfathomable skyrocketed diesel price.
He said, “I cannot help admitting that I have experienced moments of doubt regarding my decision to locate this factory in Orlu, given numerous odds militating against its survival”
The C.E.O however took solace in the fact that products of the factory are in high demand in foreign countries like; Chad, Mali, Niger and host of others, even as the current production capacity has not been meeting the demands and orders for their products.
“We have embarked on expansion projects to be able to meet the requirements. We are scheduled to receive another lineup of machineries that are guaranteed to triple our workforce which is currently estimated at about 300, at our outlets in Owerri, Onitsha, Kano and Lagos.
In their separate responses; the deputy governor who was represented by the Special Adviser to Imo State Governor on Industry, Hon. Emma Dike, Member representing Orsu in Imo State House of Assembly, Hon. Uche Agabige, chairman of the occasion, Dr. Cyril Okafor, Chairman, Pharmaceutical Society of Nigeria (PSN), Dr. Ajiero Nobert, described the pharmaceutical factory as one of a kind, which if given the needed boost, will contribute maximally to the overall development of Imo State.
They disclosed that Governor Hope Uzodimma has a deliberate design to develop Orlu which entails security, good roads, quality power supply, among others, assuring that the factory will benefit maximally from the largesse.
The dignitaries disclosed that Governor Uzodimma has taken advantage of the deregulation of power generation and distribution by the federal government, to initiate an Independent Power Plant project in Ohaji Egbema which promises to guarantee regular power supply to Imo State, starting from January 2025, promising that the Evergreen Pharmaceutical factory will be among the first set of beneficiaries.
In particular, the representative of the deputy governor promised to do a technical report to the governor, the deputy governor and Commissioner for Industries on the prospects and challenges of the company, promising that the Morning Star Road and other rural roads in the area will receive attention, as the state government is now focusing attention on rural development, especially in Orlu.
Delivering the vote of thanks, the Managing Director of the factory, Chief Declan Unogu said the visit of the deputy governor signifies a pivotal moment for the industry, as the management strives towards achieving the organizational goal of contributing to the development of “our community.
“Your insight and encouragement today has inspired us to redouble our efforts in contributing positively to the economic and social fabric of Imo State. We look forward to continued collaboration and partnership with the state government”.
The Chairman, CEO of Evergreen Morning Star Pharmaceutical Factory, Pharmacist Dr. Okechukwu Unogu, formerly presenting his address to the representative of the Deputy Governor, Hon. Emma Dike, for onward delivery to the deputy governor.
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