Chairman, Imo Economic Development Initiative, Prof Maurice Iwu has revealed what the team told Imo State Governor, Rochas Okorocha during the team’s meeting with the Governor and other principal officers at Government House, Owerri.
The meeting had sparked some controversy when the Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Sam Onwuemedo in a statement said the State government would no longer accord Prof Iwu any respect for leaking details of a private parley to the public.
A copy of the speech delivered by Prof Iwu at the parley and obtained by this newspaper showed that the team raised concerns on various issues on the State economy such as sustainability index,Domestic debt, ease of doing business,legacy industries, external funds, intervention funds, mass transit, Government fianacial obligations etc.
According to the document, the team expressed concern about the economic stagnation in the State.
“We believe this is as a result of poor money circulation within the lower strata of the society. We suggest that government should ensure that salaries are paid as and when due to minimize the hardship in the State”
The team also expressed worry on the state sustainability index saying ” a review of the States index, a report which profiles the viability and sustainability of States show that Imo State ranked number 22 in the whole country, a marked decline from the 17th position it occupied on the same index three years ago.(2015)
“We are concerned about the rising domestic debt. As at December 31, 2016, according to the Debt Management office, Imo State was owing 93.27 billion, up from 26 billion in 2011” the statement stated.
