Group To Uzodimma: Convene Imo Development And Economic Summit
Watchdog and advocacy group, Imo Awareness Coalition, IAC, has advised Governor Hope Uzodimma to as a matter of urgency, convene a Summit, which will chart an economic and development roadmap for Imo State.
Fidelis Echendu, spokesman, IAC, told INNONEWS, that there is urgent need for such summit which will serve as a platform “to redirect the economic path of the State”
“The Summit has become imperative.The State has no economy. There is need to develop an economic and development roadmap for the State.
“We advise Governor Hope Uzodimma to convene such a summit which will provide the platform for economic and development experts of Imo State origin, to come together to develop a development roadmap for the State.
“There is need to open up the economy of the State and align it with global economic dynamics. What type of economy do we even have in the State?
“We cannot continue to depend on allocation from the centre and IGR, as a means of survival, and basis for our development.
“Soon, the State government will fail completely to pay workers and pensioners.
“This is the time to discuss the future of the State, and we can achieve this through an Economic and Development Summit, where experts will brainstorm on how to open up the State”
Echendu said Imo State is under performing in economic growth, as it is rated the unemployment capital of Nigeria as reported by the NBS last year.
He stated ” We have a ballooning debt profile and infrastructure deficit in the State, the education sector is in near collapse, this makes it important for the state government to go beyond paying salaries and pensions.
“We must have a roadmap. We must bring in our finest to prepare a blueprint for the economic growth and development of our State to enable the State grow beyond what we have at the moment” he stated.
