Ebonyi Is Sitting On Wealth-Engr Opoke

From Nwogha Ndubuisi, Abakaliki An Ebonyi born Special Consultant in Water, Mining and Geological Exploration, Engr Sunday Andrew Opoke has said if the natural resources beneath Ebonyi lands, are properly harnessed would make it the riches state in Nigeria. Engr Opoke stated this, Monday in Abakaliki town during his public presentation to the Ebonyi State Chapter of the Women in Mining Nigeria, WIMIN while holding a three-day capacity building for artisanal and small scale miners in the state.

The Consultant whose presentation to the Women in Mining Nigeria, WIMIN) centred on the topic: 'Geology Exploration and Mining,' maintained that with the rich natural resources already discovered in Ebonyi, the state would be another country in Nigeria if properly harnessed for human benefits. Engr. Opoke who is one of the front line governorship aspirants under the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP in Ebonyi, noted that mining would go a long way to stimulate the economy of the state if properly mined, refined and utilised. "If Ebonyi State government should harness all the natural resources that God has endowed in the State, or bless with them including zinc, copper among others, Ebonyi State will develop beyond expectations, we are blessed with so many things. "Unfortunately, Ebonyians are suffering and highly rated as poor people, how can we be poor and be sitting on wealth, we need who can develop this wealth so that we can enjoy it. I can do it that is why Ebonyi Women Miners invited me, I have done my presentation." Opoke stressed the need for investors to invest in the State and advocated that good relationships should be maintained between miners and the host communities while calling on the government at all levels to create an enabling environment for all businesses to thrive. He, however, urged women miners across the nation to avoid being hostile to the mining communities and assured his unflinching support towards making their trade, a profitable one. Recall that Opoke is the immediate past General Manager of the Ebonyi State Rural Water Supply and Sanitation Agency, EBRUWASSA.