South East governors have
resolved to integrate the economy of the zone to break the barrier to
economic development of the area.
The new deal has received the
backing of Federal Government. Under the accord struck Thursday in
Owerri at South East economic summit organized by The Sun
Newspapers, the governors of the five states in the zone promised
to pull their resources together to execute large scale projects that
will rub off on the economic well being of people of the zone.
Areas of primary concern include
upgrading of facilities at the Akanu Ibiam (Enugu) and Sam Mbakwe (Owerri)
Airports, development of seaports, power projects, provision of good
roads and creation of employment opportunities.
The summit chaired by former
Minister of Health, Prof. A.B.C Nwosu was also attended by Prof. Pat
Utomi, Prof. Uche Azikiwe and Minister of Finance, Dr. Samusdeen Usman
who represented the Vice President, Dr. Goodluck Jonathan, Dr.
Sylvanus Ebigbo, president of Aka Ikenga, Chief Ernest Ndukwe,
executive vice chairman of Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC),
Eze Cletus Ilomuanya, Chairman of Imo State and South East Council of
Traditional rulers, Eze Joe Oleka, Chairman of Imo State, Chief Cosmas
Maduka, Chairman Coscaris Group, Dr. Ifediora Amobi, senior special
assistant to the vice president as well as secretary to Imo State
Government, Chief Cosmas Iwu and members of state executive council.
In their respective speeches at
the summit convened under the theme, Igwebuike both Governors
Peter Obi of Anambra State and chairman of South East Governors Forum,
Ikedi Ohakim of Imo State and Theodore Orji of Abia State were in firm
agreement that the zone will take its destiny into its hand and chart
a new course that will uplift the area. Governor Obi said the South
East governors have resolved to come together to pursue a common goal.
He said, Ndigbo have
talked enough, cried enough and will now move from talking to
practical action towards tackling their problems. He said: "we as
South East governors are no longer crying of marginalisation. We have
talked enough on that and it is real. We now have to move from talking
to taking action. We have now resolved to return to where we used to
be. We are the most entrepreneurial people in Nigeria but our values
and beliefs are under attack.
"It is now time to come
together. As chief servants of the people, we are waiting for you to
tell us after this summit what you want". Governor Ikedi Ohakim said
economic development of the South East depends almost entirely on
economic integration of the zone and expressed happiness that all the
governors in the zone have bought into their pre-election vision of
economic integration of the area.
Ohakim announced that to
actualize the vision, the South East governors Forum has given its
support to the formation of the South Eastern Nigeria Economic
Commission (SENEC) with legislatures in the zone resolving to give it
the necessary backing. Making a case for economic partnership of the
states in the zone, he noted that there are many projects that states
cannot prosecute alone but which, he said, are necessary if an
economic quantum leap happen in the South East.
"Today what is happening in the
world is a wake up call for us. With dwindling receipts from oil
sales, statutory allocations are bound to fall, demanding more
prudence from all of us.
"There is no longer a place for
those who believe in politics of self-aggrandisement. The rest of the
world is spinning away from us like space ships. Everyday we fail to
take the right step’s the gap between us and the rest of the world by
a decade. We must rise from this summit resolved to take our destiny
in our own hands".
Similarly Governor Theodore Orji
who was represented by his Commissioner for Information and Culture
Elder, Ralph Egbu said the summit came at an auspicious time as it is
a challenge to the ingenuity and talent of Igbo man.
He said, the coming together of
the governors in the zone will help to turn around the economic and
political fortune of the people of the area.
Also, Senator Ike Ekweremadu,
Deputy Senate President who was represented by Senator Anthony said
the legislators have important role to play to be part of the new deal
and have taken the lead in giving it practical application citing for
instance that South East Senators Forum last year met with President
Umaru Musa Yar’Adua to press for elevation of one airport in the zone
for international purposes and for which President approved and named
Akanu Ibiam Airport in Enugu.
He said the National Assembly
members from Enugu State moved from there to pull their interest
together in the last appropriation process and asked the government to
consider upgrading of facilities in the new international airport as
their constituency project, a request, he noted was approved by
government and has advertised the runway extension project to be
awarded soon. Such integration of interest, to him, is needed for the
development of seaports, building of roads and power projects in the
zone.
Meanwhile, the Federal
Government yesterday said there is weight behind the development
initiative of South East geo-political zone, emphasizing that the
Federal Government remains committed to supporting such regional
development efforts.
Vice President, Dr. Goodluck
Jonathan who was represented by Finance Minister, Dr. Shamsudeen Usman
said economic integration of the zone is critical to meeting the
country’s aspiration as one of the 20 largest economies of the world
by 2020.
