SOUTH EAST GOVS MUST WAKE UP. -Engr. Achigbu.
The economic challenges occasioned by dwindling federal allocation and the attendant
cash crunch in the face of mounting social and economic needs, call for urgent concert of
effort by the Governor’s in the five South Eastern States to promote economic
integration.
An advisory board member of the Common Wealth Enterprise and Investment Council
London, who is also the Group Managing Director of Chimons Ltd, an Oil and Gas
Conglomerate. Engr. Chibuike Achigbu made this call while responding to questions on
the way forward for the South East Nigeria beyond oil.
Engr. Achigbu bemoaned the lack of serious creative engagement to reposition the
economy of the South East especially against the backdrop of obvious development gaps,
poor performance of private business and huge army of unemployed.
While commending the effort of one or two State governments in the South East that are
taking positive and remarkable steps to change the fortunes of their States, he warned that the absence of the basic infrastructure needed to support such initiatives might eventually work error to the realization of the objectives.
According to him, infrastructure update is key to turning the South East into investment
destination and no single State government in the region has the financial capacity to put
that in place.
With the abandonment of the dredging of the River Niger, the marginalization of the
South East in the rail transportation master plan and the poor federal roads that link the
States to the rest of the country, one wonders the investor that would seriously feel
comfortable investing in the South East he argued.
Engr. Achigbu believes that if the South East Governors adopt an integrative approach
towards dealing with the infrastructure challenges, each state would be in a position to
leverage same in developing on their potentials and the economy of the States would be
opened for the small scale entrepreneurs to operate.
At a time when other regions are working out economic integration models, to pull
resources together to create friendly investment environments in their States, one
wonders what occupies the time of the South East Governor’s Forum when they meet he
queried.
A recurring issue on their meeting agenda is security. Engr. Achigbu asked, what better
way can the issue of insecurity be addressed without building an economic infrastructure
that is not only sustainable but creates opportunities for businesses to thrive and jobs
created outside the civil service.
He called for the mounting of a result driven South-East economic summit with strong
emphasis on developing infrastructure supportive of investment based on integrative
effort.
According to him, the South East States have the local investors that can if cultivated and
the right environment created activate a pervassive investment programme that can turn
around the fortunes of the people.
He expressed deep regret that often times, Governor’s of the South East engage in
needless competition for political supremacy and visibility instead of pointing the touch
for an industrial revolution relying on the competitive edge and rare entrepreneurial spirit
of our people.
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