Peter Obi, the 2023 Labour Party presidential candidate and former governor of Anambra State, has defended his administration’s investment in the state brewery, claiming that in spite of criticism, it is still a significant economic asset.
Obi described the difficulties he encountered in luring investment to Anambra in an interview with Rufai Oseni, anchor of Arise News, on Monday. He specifically mentioned the establishment of the brewery, which he claimed has grown to be the state’s biggest source of income.
“You won’t believe it if I ever tell you what I went through to have that brewery constructed in Anambra State,” Obi remarked. “I had to make an effort to draw companies to Anambra State. That brewery is currently Anambra’s largest source of income.
Obi brushed off accusations that the government’s ownership of the brewery had diminished. “Thank you so much. I wish more Nigerians had put money into something that lost value. “That’s not smart,” he remarked mockingly. At least 500 people in Anambra are directly employed by the brewery, and more than 5,000 others, including wholesalers and truck drivers, depend on it for their lives, according to Obi.
He criticized the investment’s unfavorable reputation and compared it to similar endeavors in other states. In Ogun State, their brewery is the largest. He asked, “Have you ever heard anyone in Ogun State say, oh, the brewery is this?”
Obi also addressed recent claims that his administration was responsible for the state’s growing poverty, with some claiming he lacked the moral authority to advocate for poverty alleviation. “You are discussing a limited scope of interest and evaluation. Citing global development standards, he responded, “Go look at the Nigerian Competitive Index.” “I was effectively governor for seven years, from 2006 until 2014, after returning from impeachment in 2007.”
He pointed out that Nigeria has international criteria to gauge its achievement because it was a party to the UN Millennium its Goals. The former governor emphasized the advancements made in health and education during his time in office and advised anybody who had any doubts to speak with experts and donor organizations that dealt with poverty alleviation at the time.
“Anambra State was the best under my leadership by the time I left in 2014.” I didn’t measure it; the UNDP did. Obi asserted, “I even received an invitation to speak at the United Nations about what we accomplished.”
Ask everyone: “Rufai, the only thing I did poorly was that I wasn’t covered by the media. He stated, “I wasn’t going about advertising myself or paying media people.”
Obi emphasized his simplicity and intimacy with the people in his closing remarks. “Today, I reside in Anambra. Anambra State is the only location where I own a home. I’d like to invite you to stroll the streets of Anambra State on any given day. He added, “And people will tell you who this man is.”
