Governor Okezie Ikpeazu is currently in Johannesburg, capital of South Africa as a participant at the ongoing 2019 Africa Investment Forum (AIF) holding from November 11 to 13 2019. The Governor who is attending the event on the invitation of the President of the African Development Bank (AfDB), Dr. Akinwumni Adesina, joins many African Business and Political leaders including Presidents and Heads of governments across the continent and beyond, notable among them is President Paul Kagame of Rwanda.
According to a release by the Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Barr. Onyebuchi Ememanka, Dr. Ikpeazu would lead participation at a high profile Investment Boardroom meeting with core Global Investors to raise financing for the Enyimba Economic City Development Project, a project being sponsored at the board room by the AfDB, Afriexim Bank and the International Finance Corporation, the investment arm of the World Bank.
The release further stated that the Governor, who is being supported by the private sector led by Mr Darl Uzu as well as the Federal Government team led by the Honourable Minister for Industry, Trade and Investment Chief Niyi Adebayo, would lead discussion to global business leaders on opportunities available in the Enyimba Economic Development City project with efforts targeted at raising additional $400 Million required for the first phase of the project which is expected to start in the first quarter of 2020.
Continuing, the release explained that One of the major high points of the Governor’s trip to South Africa is his meeting
with the President of the AfDB, Dr Adesina to tidy up the $200 Million AfDB Assisted Infrastructural Development Project targeted at dealing with major infrastructural challenges particularly, roads, storm water, and environmental management issues in Aba while the Governor would equally hold meetings with Abians residents in Johannesburg to keep them abreast with developments in the State.
Dr. Ikpeazu, who was accompanied to the event by the State Commissioners for Finance and Works, Dr. Aham Uko and Bob Chiedozie Ogu, respectively, as well as a Special Adviser to the Governor, Chinenye Nwaogu, has since arrived the OR Tambo International Airport and expected back on the 13th of November 2019, the release added.