Enugu State Governor Peter Mbah has commissioned Anchorage Pharmaceutical Industries Limited, a multi-billion naira pharmaceutical manufacturing facility in Trans-Ekulu, Enugu, as the state intensifies efforts to attract private investment, create jobs and strengthen local drug production.
The facility, inaugurated on Thursday, is expected to contribute to Nigeria’s pharmaceutical industry by supporting domestic medicine production, developing local talent and improving access to essential medicines.
Speaking at the commissioning ceremony, Mbah described the investment as more than a business venture, saying it represented a commitment to public health, economic development and employment opportunities for young people in Enugu State.
The governor congratulated the company’s founder, board and management, noting that establishing a manufacturing business required significant investment and confidence in the state’s economic prospects.
He said the facility would create jobs, provide internship opportunities and promote skills transfer, while supporting healthcare delivery across the state.
Mbah also disclosed that his administration would explore commercial partnerships with Anchorage to supply medicines to the state’s central medical stores and primary healthcare facilities.
According to him, the government is constructing 260 Type-2 primary healthcare centres, which would require a dependable supply of essential medicines to operate effectively.
“We are interested in made-in-Enugu, and that’s what you’re doing here,” the governor said, reaffirming the administration’s commitment to working with private businesses to expand the state’s productive capacity.
He added that attracting private capital remained central to his government’s economic development strategy, stressing that creating sustainable employment opportunities would help retain skilled young people in the state.
Earlier, the Chairman of Anchorage Pharmaceutical Industries Limited’s Board of Directors, Rear Admiral Allison Madueke (rtd), commended the governor for creating a business-friendly environment capable of attracting investment.
Madueke, a former Chief of the Naval Staff and former military governor of old Anambra and Imo States, described the company as a legacy project designed to generate employment, develop local expertise and contribute to economic growth.
He said the company would prioritise product quality, patient safety, regulatory compliance and effective corporate governance. He also acknowledged the role of the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) in protecting public health.
Madueke expressed confidence that the investment would benefit Enugu State, the South-East and Nigeria at large, while commending the state government for supporting private-sector development.
In his remarks, the Managing Director of the company, Engr. Chima Madueke, said Anchorage was established around the principles of quality and wellness, reflected in its slogan, “Anchored in Quality, Committed to Wellness.”
He said the company had obtained the necessary approvals and clearances from NAFDAC and the Pharmaceutical Society of Nigeria (PSN), adding that it remained committed to maintaining quality standards in its operations.
According to him, the facility would contribute to efforts to combat counterfeit and substandard medicines in Nigeria. He added that the company was open to supplying medicines directly to hospitals, healthcare institutions and pharmacies.
The commissioning marks another step in the Enugu State Government’s efforts to expand the state’s industrial base through private investment, with the administration pledging continued support for businesses seeking to establish or expand operations in the state.
