Enugu State Governor, Peter Mbah, has commissioned Anchorage Pharmaceutical Industries Limited, a multi billion naira pharmaceutical manufacturing facility located in Trans-Ekulu, Enugu, in a move expected to boost local drug production, create employment opportunities and strengthen healthcare delivery.
The commissioning ceremony, held on Thursday, brought together government officials and industry stakeholders, with the company’s leadership commending the state government for creating an environment conducive to private-sector investment.
Speaking at the event, Governor Mbah described the facility as more than a business venture, noting that it represents an investment in public health, economic growth and the future of young people in the state.
He congratulated the company’s founder, board and management, stating that establishing a manufacturing enterprise requires significant commitment and confidence in the state’s economic prospects.
According to the governor, the facility is expected to create jobs, provide internship opportunities and promote skills development through knowledge transfer. He added that the company could also support the supply of essential medicines to healthcare facilities across the state.
Mbah disclosed that his administration would explore commercial partnerships with Anchorage Pharmaceutical Industries to supply medicines to government central medical stores and primary healthcare centres.
He noted that the state was developing 260 Type-2 primary healthcare centres, stressing that reliable access to essential medicines would be crucial to their effective operation.
“We are interested in made-in-Enugu, and that’s what you’re doing here,” the governor said, reaffirming his administration’s commitment to supporting private enterprises and expanding the state’s productive economy.
He further emphasised that private-sector investment remains central to the state’s development strategy, particularly in creating opportunities that enable skilled young people to build their careers in Enugu.
Earlier, the Chairman of the company’s Board of Directors, Rear Admiral Allison Madueke (Rtd.), commended the governor for fostering an investment-friendly environment.
Madueke, a former Chief of the Naval Staff and former military governor of the old Anambra and Imo States, described Anchorage as a legacy project conceived to generate employment, develop local talent and contribute to economic prosperity.
He said the company would prioritise product quality, patient safety, regulatory compliance and sound corporate governance, while acknowledging the role of the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) in protecting public health.
Madueke expressed confidence that the facility would contribute to the economic development of Enugu State, the South-East and Nigeria at large.
In his remarks, the Managing Director of Anchorage Pharmaceutical Industries Limited, Engr. Chima Madueke, said the company was founded on the principles of quality and wellness, reflected in its slogan: “Anchored in Quality, Committed to Wellness.”
He stated that the company had obtained the necessary approvals and clearances from NAFDAC and the Pharmaceutical Society of Nigeria (PSN), reaffirming its commitment to quality assurance.
The managing director added that the company aims to contribute to efforts to address the circulation of fake and substandard medicines in Nigeria. He also disclosed that Anchorage was open to supplying hospitals, healthcare institutions and pharmacies directly.
The commissioning marks another development in Enugu State’s efforts to attract private investment, expand local manufacturing and strengthen its economic base. The state government has reiterated its commitment to supporting businesses and improving the investment climate.
Written by Enitan Mudashiru
