Okigwe Ceramic: Ogbunikpa’s Motion urging Uzodimma to Revive Industry scales through

Alex Ibeh

Imo Assembly backs Ogbunikpa’s call on Uzodimma to revive Ezinachi Ceramic Industry in Okigwe
Motion, urging the Imo State Governor Senator Hope Uzodimma to direct the Ministry of Trade and Investment and other relevant State Government agencies to address the dying state of Ezinnachi Ceramic Industry in Okigwe LGA.has been adopted by Imo State House of Assembly.
The Chief Sponsor of the motion, Rt. Hon. Samuel Chidiebere Ogbunikpa as co-sponsored by other colleagues during plenary on Wednesday 7th May, 2025 prayed the support of the House to urge the Ministry to embark on immediate assessment of the industry with the aim of finding out what it will take to bounce it back to it’s original economically viable state.

Presenting the motion at the floor of the Chamber, the lawmaker representing Ikeduru State Constituency Hon. Joheoba Iheoha seconded the proposal while other nine members and co-sponsored it

Ogbunikpa in the motion, pointed out that since Dee Sam Mbakwe, who he said established the Ceramic Industry left office, that the industry has been moribund, as successive administrations had abandoned it.

In his words “Ceramic Industry is one of the industries in the country that is seriously thriving, as it dishes out products that are highly sorted for in our homes, the electronics world, the medical field, among others.

“So reviving the industry in the state will not just benefit the people of the LGA, but the state and the nation at large, as it will encourage exportation of the products, create employment opportunities, resurrect the ailing economy of the LGA, and its environs, boost Imo State Internally Generated Revenue, IGR, Increase Human Capacity Development among others,’ Ogbunikpa asserted’.

He however expressed no doubt that Governor Hope Uzodimma would direct the aforementioned ministry to immediately move into repositioning of the industry, noted that the Governor has distinguished himself in the areas of Commerce, Trade, Rural Development in the state, and so has the capacity to sustain the industrial revolutional efforts within the state.

He further commended the Governor for the Infrastructural development in the State and according to him, Okigwe State Constituency, citing the road construction from Owerri to Okigwe, and from Okigwe to St Mary’s in the Local Government, among others.

Ogbunikpa recalled the efforts of the former Governor of the State Dr. Sir Sam Mbakwe for establishing the industry during his days, just as he solicited the support of other lawmakers to ensuring that the legacy is sustained.

Speaking in favour of the motion was former Speaker of the House, and Obowo lawmaker, Hon. Kennedy Ibeh, who while recalling that the industry was producing about 30million products in a year to show how viable it was then, reiterated that reviving the industry commands multi faceted benefits.

Pointing out that the state is blessed with the raw materials needed to run the industry, Ibeh called on the Imo state investment Promotion Agency ISIPA, to instead of leaving everything in the hands of government, should wake up to their duties of promoting Imo tourism potentials, raw material potentials, fish out investors and link them to the state government for development of the state.

Adding his voice, the Onuimo legislator, Hon. James Esile stated that everything had been moribund in the state, but he is elated that Governor Uzodimma has been working acidiously to resuscitate them, and so he believed he will also look into reviving the industry.

The Mbaitoli representative, Hon. Innocent Ikpamezie maintained that when this ceramic industry bounces back, that it will not only encourage employment of the youths, but will also support exportation and lots of other benefits not just to Okigwe people but the entire state.

Also speaking the Isiala Mbano lawmaker, and Deputy Majority Leader, Rt. Hon. Sam Osuji commended the mover of the motion adding that the move, will encourage industrialization, boost the IGR of the state, curtail, and reduce the level of insecurity in the LGA, as the people will be meaningfully engaged.

Other lawmakers who spoke were Members Representing Ikeduru, Hon. Johnleoba Iheoha, Nkwerre, Hon. Chisom Ojukwu, Minority Leader, Rt. Hon. Princewill Amuchie, Ehime Mbano, Hon. Ben Ozoemenam.

While putting the motion to voice vote, the Speaker, Rt. Hon. Chike Olemgbe, and member representing Obowo State Constituency adopted “Ayes” voice had it.

In the end, the Speaker directed the Clerk of the House to convey the House resolution to the governor and other related body for onward action.