The Enugu State Government has taken a significant step towards revitalizing its industrial sector by signing a landmark N40 billion agreement with Jelfah Nigeria Limited to restore the long-abandoned Sunrise Flour Mills in Emene, a suburb of the state.
This initiative, announced by Governor Peter Mbah on his official X (formerly Twitter) account, is part of broader efforts to reinvigorate the state’s economy through strategic partnerships with the private sector.
Jelfah Nigeria Limited, under the leadership of Chairman Moses Saromi, will invest N24 billion in the deal, acquiring a 60% equity stake in the mills. Out of this, N22 billion will be dedicated to revitalizing the facility, while N2 billion will directly benefit the state.
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“Today, we took another decisive step towards revitalizing our moribund assets. We signed a landmark N40bn deal with Jelfah Nigeria Ltd, led by the chairman, Moses Saromi, to revitalize the long-abandoned Sunrise Flour Mills at Emene.
“This significant partnership will see Jelfah acquiring a 60% equity stake and investing N24bn in the mills – N22bn for the revitalization and N2bn benefiting the state directly,” the statement read in part.
A critical component of the deal involves the establishment of a Special Purpose Vehicle (SPV) to manage 10,000 hectares of farmland. This land will be dedicated to cultivating essential inputs for the flour mill, including cassava and grains, ensuring a steady supply of raw materials and strengthening the state’s agricultural-industrial integration.
This agreement follows earlier initiatives by the Enugu State Government to revive key economic sectors. Notably, the state secured an N100 billion partnership with Pragmatic Palms Limited in September to restore the Enugu United Palm Products Limited (EUPPL). This investment aims to create 3,500 jobs, restore 20,000 hectares of palm plantations, and establish oil mills with refining capacities—further evidence of the state’s drive toward agro-industrialization.
In addition to these developments, the state has also partnered with a Danish firm to establish a tractor assembly plant. This move is expected to end the reliance on imported agricultural machinery, with 300 tractors projected to be assembled by the end of 2024 and up to 1,000 tractors by the following year.
Governor Mbah’s administration has shown notable interest in industrialization and economic expansion. Earlier in August, the state launched an N4.6 billion agricultural and MSME grant program, providing 12,000 farmers with fertilizers, distributing 51 power tillers, and offering other essential agricultural inputs to over 1,200 beneficiaries across all local government areas.
However, while Enugu is forging ahead with these transformative projects, it stands out alongside Abia as one of the few southeastern states actively working to boost their industrial sectors. Abia, under the leadership of Governor Alex Otti, has also made strides in revitalizing its economic landscape, particularly through efforts to clear inherited salary and pension arrears and rejuvenate the state’s industrial output.
Both states appear to be setting an example for the rest of the region. Abia’s efforts to restore key industries, alongside its initiatives to enhance trade and economic growth, mirror the work being done in Enugu. In contrast, other states in the southeastern region have not demonstrated similar levels of commitment or investment in industrial development, leaving a gap in the region’s overall economic growth.