…Allison Madueke Hails Governor for Creating Investment-Friendly Environment.
Enugu State Governor Peter Mbah has commissioned Anchorage Pharmaceutical Industries Limited, a multi-billion naira pharmaceutical company in Trans-Ekulu, Enugu. The facility is expected to boost local drug production, create jobs and strengthen healthcare delivery.
The company’s Board Chairman, Rear Admiral Allison Madueke (Rtd), praised Mbah for creating an investment-friendly environment. He described Anchorage as a legacy project designed to generate employment, develop local talent and support economic growth.
Speaking at Thursday’s commissioning ceremony, Mbah said the facility represented more than a business investment. He described it as a commitment to public health, economic development and opportunities for young people.
The project adds to the private-sector investments supporting Enugu’s economic ambitions. It also aligns with the administration’s wider plans to expand the state’s economy, as highlighted in reports on Enugu’s development agenda and Mbah’s development achievements.
Mbah Promises Support for Local Drug Manufacturing
The governor congratulated Anchorage’s founder, board and management for establishing the manufacturing facility. He noted that building an industrial enterprise required significant commitment and confidence in Enugu’s economic prospects.
Mbah said the company would create employment opportunities and offer internship placements. He added that it would support skills transfer and contribute to healthcare delivery across the state.
The governor also disclosed plans to explore commercial partnerships with Anchorage. Under the proposed arrangement, the state could source medicines from the company for its central medical stores and primary healthcare facilities.
“We are interested in made-in-Enugu, and that’s what you’re doing here,” Mbah said.
He reaffirmed his administration’s willingness to work with private enterprises beyond providing an enabling business environment. The governor said private capital remained central to Enugu’s economic growth strategy.
The investment drive also features in discussions about NACCIMA’s support for Enugu’s economic ambitions. Mbah’s administration has also promoted projects aimed at attracting investment and creating jobs, including the South-East agro-development programme.
Pharmaceutical Company to Support Healthcare Facilities
Mbah said Enugu was building 260 Type-2 primary healthcare centres across the state. He explained that these facilities would need reliable supplies of essential medicines to serve residents effectively.
The proposed partnership with Anchorage could help the government explore local sourcing options for medicines. However, the governor did not announce a supply agreement or disclose the terms of any prospective contract.
The facility’s commissioning comes as the state expands its healthcare infrastructure. Reliable medicine supplies will remain important to the operation of the planned health centres.
Local pharmaceutical production can also support the availability of medicines within the domestic market. Anchorage’s management says the company intends to contribute to efforts against fake and substandard drugs.
The state’s wider development programme includes community-level initiatives. Readers can learn more about CSDA’s community sensitisation exercise across six Enugu communities and grassroots development efforts in Igbo-Eze South.
Allison Madueke Praises Enugu’s Investment Climate
Earlier, Madueke said Anchorage reflected his longstanding belief in the power of private enterprise. He said businesses could create jobs, expand economic opportunities and improve prosperity.
The retired naval chief and former military governor of old Anambra and Imo States praised Mbah for supporting a business-friendly environment. He also thanked the governor for commissioning the facility.
Madueke said Anchorage would prioritise product quality, patient safety, regulatory compliance and sound corporate governance. He acknowledged the role of the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) in protecting public health.
Also, he expressed confidence that the company would contribute to development in Enugu, the South-East and Nigeria. He also praised the state’s business infrastructure and called attention to the importance of sustained support for private investment.
Enugu has continued to promote its economic plans through engagements with business groups and investors. Related reports include the state’s economic ambition and security agenda and Mbah’s engagement with the media on governance.
Anchorage Highlights Quality and Regulatory Compliance
In his closing remarks, the company’s Managing Director, Engr. Chima Madueke, said Anchorage was founded on quality and wellness. He said the company’s guiding slogan is “Anchored in Quality, Committed to Wellness.”
According to him, Anchorage has obtained the necessary approvals and clearances from NAFDAC and the Pharmaceutical Society of Nigeria (PSN). He reaffirmed the company’s commitment to quality assurance.
Chima Madueke said the company would help tackle fake and substandard medicines in Nigeria. He added that Anchorage was open to supplying hospitals, healthcare institutions and pharmacies directly.
The company’s emphasis on quality comes amid continuing concerns about medicine safety and regulatory compliance. Its stated priorities include protecting patients and maintaining standards throughout its operations.
The facility’s long-term contribution will depend on its production capacity, product quality and ability to serve healthcare providers. The commissioning marks the start of its operations, but the source did not provide production figures or details about its initial product range.
Mbah Seeks More Private-Sector Investment in Enugu
The commissioning highlights the role of private investment in Mbah’s efforts to broaden Enugu’s economic base. The governor assured investors of continued government support to improve the business environment and encourage returns on investment.
He also emphasised the need to create opportunities that allow skilled young people to build their careers in the state. Anchorage is expected to contribute through employment, internships and skills development.
The company’s establishment adds pharmaceutical manufacturing to the range of private-sector activities in Enugu. Its proposed links with public healthcare facilities could also create opportunities for local procurement, subject to agreements between the parties.
Other state initiatives focus on job creation and economic activity, including the planned agro-mechanisation project to address unemployment and insecurity and support for agricultural mechanisation in Nkanu East.
Enugu has also pursued broader investment and infrastructure goals, as discussed in reports on the state’s development gains and Mbah’s reported achievements.
As Anchorage begins operations, its impact will be measured by its ability to produce quality medicines, create jobs and serve the healthcare sector. The state government has expressed interest in working with local manufacturers as part of its wider development strategy.
For more related coverage, read about the launch of NNPC’s smart self-service filling station and the wider debate over investment in Nigeria’s energy sector.
