London-based industrialist hails Gov Nwifuru's move to establish Ebonyi Salt Factory

Ebonyi State Governor, Chief Francis Nwifuru, in a group picture with the President of Salt Partners Ltd Switzerland,  Mr  Vladimir Sedivy and  Chief Dr Emmanuel Ogai left Commissioner for Solid Minerals,  Hon Chidi Onyia and Counterpart in Commence & Industry  Chief Oguzor Offia Nwali at Government House Abakaliki,  Ebonyi State.

By Victor Nwegede 

A prominent citizen of Ebonyi state based in London, Chief Dr Emmanuel Ogai, Ochendo 1 of Izhia in Ohaukwu local government area of Ebonyi state and  CEO  Frontfield Group of Companies Ltd, has commended Governor Francis Ogbonna Nwifuru for approving a comprehensive Feasibility Study & Basic Engineering Package of Ebonyi Salt deposits at Uburu and Okposi lakes for establishment of the Salt Factory in the area.

 He made the commendation during a state visit to the Governor with the president of Salt  Partners Ltd Switzerland, Mr Vladimir Sedivy on 11th January 2025 at Government House in Abakaliki.

Dr. Ogai also thanked the project committee set up by the governor, which included the Ebonyi State commissioners of Solid Minerals, Hon Chidi Onyia, and his counterpart of Commence and Industry, Chief Oguzor Offia Nwali, for their dedication and cooperation towards the establishment of the Salt  Industry.

Dr Ogai appealed to Ebonyians, especially indigenes of Okposi Okwu & Uburu in Ohaozara LGA, to support the Salt Industry project development of the government for the rapid economic development of the state. 

 He emphasized that Okposi / Uburu Salt holds abundant salt deposits of over 300,000 tons per annum, which amounts to about 75 million USD in total revenues.

 According to him, the salt industry, if established, will employ many citizens and improve the VAT &  Federal allocations of the Ebonyi State  Government. 

The President of Salt Partners Ltd Switzerland Mr Vladimir Sedivy appreciate the Governor for finding him worthy to assist Ebonyi State in developing the factory and promised that he would develop the Salt Factory in the same way he had developed The Nigeria National Salt Company of Nigeria (NASCON) which he built in 1972 at Ogun State Nigeria which is now known as Dangote Salt Nigeria Ltd.

Responding  Governor Francis Nwifuru thanked Chief Dr Emmanuel Ogai for his efforts in attracting the president of Salt Partners Ltd Switzerland to Ebonyi State Government for the development of the Ebonyi Salt deposit and announced Government approval for Salt Partners Ltd Switzerland to build a Salt Factory in Ebonyi State if the feasibility report is positive as expected.