The need to look beyond the shores of Imo State in a bid to expand the economic base of the State were some of the reasons why Governor Emeka Ihedioha said he visited the U.S
According to a statement signed by Governor Ihedioha’s Chief Press Secretary, Chibuike Onyeukwu, the Governor said during his one week economic and diplomatic trip to the U.S, he held useful and fruitful deliberations and interface with the Congressional Black Caucus, the U.S State Department, World Bank,Department of International Development,DFID, and the United States Agency for International Development, USAID.
He said his discussions with these international agencies will yield desired results for the State soon, which is in line with his campaign promises to look beyond the shores of Imo State in the task of rebuilding the State.
He said the need to consciously tackle the enormous challenges confronting the state made it necessary and imperative to seek collaboration with partners to support the efforts of his administration’s Rebuild Imo Agenda.
“It was an economic and diplomatic visit to the United States of America, where we had cause to interface with the Congressional Black Caucus. We visited the State Department, we also visited the World Bank, DFID, and of course, USAID. And we had useful deliberations”, he said.
Governor Ihedioha further explained that such collaboration became necessary in view of what his administration intends to achieve for the benefit of the people.
“I promised in the course of our campaigns, that we will look beyond the shores of Imo State to get our state to where we need to be”
He said Imo State is in need of resources and collaboration to enable his administration create jobs and wealth for its teeming youths and for the people of the State.
The Governor said he remains optimistic on the outcome of his visit to the U.S and discussions he held with Development Agencies, recalling that his administration inherited a state with a begging economy which necessitated the need to expand the frontiers of the economic base of Imo State.
Governor Ihedioha also stated that there is hope for the State because there is renewed faith and confidence in his administration by the international community who are happy with the progress made so far by his administration in the State.
“We are making progress. We’ve made useful contacts and engaged in deliberations we believe will yield positive results in the shortest possible time.
“The good news is that they are confident and they are happy with our progress thus far. There is faith and confidence in the government of our state today.”