In fulfillment of the government’s promises to provide quality healthcare and create job opportunities for the youthful population of Imo state and Nigeria at large, the federal and Imo state governments have given approval for Heartland Pharmaceutical Hub and Allied Products Ltd to establish a Pharmaceutical Coordinated Wholesale Centre at Mgbidi, in Oru West LGA of Imo State.
Newsmen gathered that the establishment of this ongoing Pharmaceutical Coordinated Wholesale Centre will catalyze a wave of employment opportunities and significantly expand the state’s economic growth. Its ripple effect will favour ancillary businesses and services in and around the location.
The ongoing state-of-the-art project has been joyfully embraced as a landmark initiative that will soon become the cynosure of all eyes.
Fielding questions from newsmen on how they successfully secured a spacious land accommodation at Mgbidi in Oru West LGA, the project coordinator explained that the approval and release of the empty land for the CWC was facilitated by both the Imo State Government and the Oru West Council Chairman, at no cost to the Heartland Pharmaceutical Hub and Allied products Ltd. He stated that the vision and its strategic designs with high- tech cooling facilities, are anchored on the Federal Government’s National Drug Distribution Guidelines (NDDG) aimed at providing a road map for proper and streamlined Drug Distribution in Nigeria that will meet international best practices but with adequate recognition to our socio-cultural sensibilities.
Newsmen were further informed that the CWC’s are by policy, private companies funded while the Federal Government has exclusive policy and regulatory oversight functions through the relevant agencies which include Pharmacy Council of Nigeria (PCN) and the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC).
In appreciation, the project coordinator stated that special thanks should go to the award winning Governor of Imo State, His Excellency Senator Hope Uzodinma for his tremendous support towards ensuring that the legacy project is realized. “The contributions of the Oru West Local Government Council Chairman, Hon Engr. Ikenna Adikibe, is also well recognized and appreciated because he pushed beyond expectations to ensure that the site was strongly secured.”
He further stated that, “It is very important to mention the overwhelming enthusiasm with which the indigenous and host communities and their leaders accepted and welcomed this giant developmental stride. Heartland Pharmaceutical Hub and Allied Products Limited will bring about sanity in our drug distribution system as well as reduction in the prevalence of fake and adulterated medicinal products in our health care system. This will engender a healthier population and a healthier workforce.
“The CWC initiative will greatly enhance access to quality and affordable medicines.
It will obviously create more than 4000 direct jobs for the teeming youths of Imo state and even beyond ranging from professionals to artisanal and unskilled labour force. Even more jobs will be created by the support services like the banks, eateries, and other related service structures. “Heartland Pharmaceutical Hub and Allied Products Ltd will provide a hub for pharmaceutical distribution and wholesale business not only for Nigeria but also for West and Central African Sub-regions. “This, according to him, will expand the GDP of the state and to a large extent, expand the economy through foreign direct investment.
Imo State will also experience growth in her internally generated revenue by harnessing the multiple revenue possibilities presented by this organized business community. As an ancillary benefit, Heartland Pharmaceutical Hub and Allied Products Ltd being an international business hub will boost the tourism industry of the state by engendering heavy human traffic and migration into Imo State from within and outside Nigeria.The rich and contemporary architectural design in combination with the green and serene environment of this business park presents a superb iconic appeal, adding value to the aesthetics and profile of Mgbidi, Oru West LGA and the entire Imo State.”
“May humanity take full advantage of all the social and economic opportunities this project puts on the table. ” He concludes.
