20/09/2026
ENUGU TURNS FOREST INTO EMERGING AUTOMOTIVE TRADE AND INDUSTRIAL HUB
By Lucy Harry-Enwu
The emerging Enugu International Spare Parts and Allied Trades Park (EISPAT) is rapidly transforming a once thick forest on the outskirts of Enugu into a major commercial and industrial hub, with roads, drainage systems, buildings and other critical infrastructure taking shape across its approximately 153-hectare site. The project, being driven by the Enugu State Government, is designed to provide a modern and organised environment for automobile spare-parts dealers, mechanics, technicians and allied businesses, while creating a new destination for traders currently operating in the congested Coal Camp environment.
A major milestone in the development of the park was recorded recently with the handover of a command building and support infrastructure to the Enugu State Forest Guard. The facility will serve as a tactical security base for the emerging commercial hub and its environs. The Commissioner for Trade, Investment and Industry, Dr. Sam Ogbu-Nwobodo, described the deployment as a critical step towards securing the park ahead of the planned commencement of economic activities, noting that the government’s vision extends beyond a conventional spare-parts market to an integrated automotive and allied-trades ecosystem.
Ogbu-Nwobodo disclosed that the government is targeting December for the commencement of economic activities at EISPAT, recalling that work on the site began in November 2024 when it was still a “full-time forest.” He said the government had since secured the area with perimeter fencing and constructed about 9.8 kilometres of roads alongside drainage infrastructure. He added that the Nigerian Automotive Design and Development Council (NADDC) had been attracted to establish an automotive training institute within the park, with facilities expected to support training in conventional and emerging electric-vehicle technologies.
The Commissioner further said the relocation of traders from Coal Camp to EISPAT would offer them an opportunity to move into a safer, more organised and modern business environment, with the added prospect of owning their shops rather than depending solely on rented premises. He explained that shop ownership could provide traders with valuable assets that could subsequently be leveraged to access capital and expand their businesses. Ogbu-Nwobodo also disclosed that other security and regulatory agencies, including the police and relevant federal institutions, are expected to establish a presence within the park as activities increase.
The Commander of the Enugu State Forest Guard, Dr. Akinbayo, a retired Deputy Commissioner of Police, said the deployment reflected Governor Peter Mbah’s broader security vision and followed concerns over criminal activities in the area. He disclosed that personnel deployed to EISPAT had received specialised training in tactical operations and rescue procedures and were connected to the state’s command and control centre, with body cameras and other operational equipment. Akinbayo also revealed plans for a Forest Guard Academy in Enugu State, while the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, Mr Ifeanyi Onah, the project consultant, Prof. Okafor, and ENSIEC Commissioner, Obiora George Ani, President Auto Spare Parts Dealers Association, Mike Nomeh welcomed the development and expressed optimism that EISPAT would strengthen commerce, security, skills development and investment in the state.
