The Anambra South Senatorial candidate for the, National Democratic Congress, NDC, Dr. Ebuka Onunkwo, has said that epileptic power supply remains the major challenge to industries and industrialists in Nnewi and other parts of the state and country, and vowed to prioritize legislations and policies to improve power supply if elected to represent the area at the national assembly.
Aside power supply, Dr. Onunkwo, who is the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of Sea Horse Lubricant Industries Limited, noted high interest rates for beginners, and the poor business enabling environment as others challenges facing industrialists, but maintained that he is not relenting in the business, especially because his staff are partners in growing the business.
Dr. Onunkwo, who described the Bank of Industry as a good way for industrialists to get access to fund, said he will, as a Senator, help to get the Federal Government to inject more money into the bank, thereby helping to address insecurity.
Addressing members of the Nigeria Union of Journalists, NUJ, Anambra State Council during on a facility tour of his company – Sea Horse Lubricant Industries Limited at Ozubulu in Ekwusigo LGA of the state, Dr. Onunkwo also decried double taxation (through emblems) as another challenge to industrialists, and promised to help make laws to end it.
He said though his company is running successfully; enabling him to touch lives positively, he needs a better platform to step up and expand his philanthropic gestures, hence his decision to join the Anambra South senatorial race to help make laws that will uplift humanity.
Recalling his humble beginning, Dr. Onunkwo testified that God answered when he as a child prayed that if he becomes successful, he would use God’s blessings to touch lives positively.
To unlock the industrial potentials of Nnewi and environs, the NDC Anambra South Senatorial candidate called for an independent power station, industry clusters, the building of roads and other infrastructure to ease doing business, as obtained abroad, adding that if elected as a Senator, he plans to sponsor a bill (Industrial Cluster Power Pact Bill) to ensure the establishment of a power station to enhance production.
On the uniqueness of the seven local government areas he seeks to represent and how to tackle their challenges, Dr. Onunkwo said he has continued to tour the zone, and has plans to facilitate single-digit loans for businesses in the area; in addition to the establishment of a power station, and address insecurity in the Ihiala area.
Dr. Onunkwo, who lamented insecurity in parts of the country, said he believes enough money is being given to Governors as security votes, and called for judicious use of same in fighting insecurity.
He regretted that many youths are no longer interested in business apprenticeship, and promised to help institutionalize the Igbo apprenticeship model, “Igba boi”, through legislation to restore confidence in it, as well as building well-equipped skills acquisition centres; all aimed at engaging young people meaningfully.
Speaking on roads, he said the deplorable state of roads everywhere in Nigeria is a result of poor oversight, which is one of the duties of a legislator, alongside representation and legislation.
While expressing confidence in unseating the established political order in the state and his senatorial district, Dr. Onunkwo said he is a household name in politics, and that the people of Anambra South have confidence that he will give them effective representation because of what he has done, regretting that the style of representation of the late Senator Ifeanyi Ubah, whom he described as a dogged fighter and grassroots mobilizer, is still being yearned for years after his death.
The industrialists called on men of goodwill to join politics so that society will not fall into the wrong hands.
On the 2027 Presidential candidate of the NDC, Mr. Peter Obi, Dr. Onunkwo said Obi is popular with all Nigerians, and that his popularity and high acceptability are a plus to his (Onunkwo’s) political ambition.
Leaving no stone unturned in his efforts to win the senatorial race, Dr. Onunkwo said he maintains cordial relationship with the late Ubah team, and has continued moving from door to door and use other platforms, including women’s August meetings to reach actual voters.
Dr. Onunkwo, who advised journalists to always report verified facts and be the societal watchdog by holding leaders accountable, warned against fake news for the purpose of driving traffic.
In his remarks, the Anambra NUJ Chairman, Dr. Odogwu Emeka Odogwu, said the union in the state rates Dr. Onunkwo high and wishes him well in the senatorial race, adding that the visit for facility tour marked a new partnership for the NUJ and Dr. Onunkwo.
