A watchdog in Imo State, Imo Awareness Coalition, IAC, has advocated for an Imo Economic Development Summit in the face of rising insecurity in the State.
The IAC said such a summit will chart a way forward for the socio economic development and growth of the State.
In a statement in Owerri signed by Fidelis Echendu, spokesman of the Coalition, he called for the diversification of the economy of the State, from public service driven to private led, arguing that the Summit will be a forum, that will afford Imo sons and daughters, who have attained commanding heights in various fields of endeavour, to come home and brainstorm, with the aim of evolving a viable economic Roadmap for the State.
“There is need to reshape, reposition and redirect the economy of the State in the face of rising insecurity in the State.
“An Imo Economic Development Summit will brainstorm and recommend, workable initiatives and policies, that will re-stimulate growth in various sectors of the State, such as Education, Agriculture, Health, Infrastructural Development, Human Capacity Development, Industrialization, etc.
“The Summit will be an assemblage of Imo professionals in various sectors, who will holistically dissect and address economic challenges plaguing the State, in the face of high rate of unemployment.
“It is worrisome that Imo State is designated as unemployment capital of Nigeria by National Bureau For Statistics, NBS.
“Unemployment promotes stunted economic growth, and if this factor persists and left unchecked, Imo State will be heading to the doldrums.
“Aside Industralization which we had strongly advised will be a major weapon to tackle unemployment in the State, an Economic Development Summit has become imperative, because it will develop a pathway for the economic rearmament of our people.
“With the prevalent economic downturn in the country and drop in Federal allocations to the States, the only option for our State, is for Imo State finest, our worthy sons and daughters in various sectors, to come together and delibrate for the good of our people at this critical period.
IAC noted that it is important Imo State begins now to reshape it’s economic architecture by reviving key sectors of its economy, which will aid rapidly in reducing unemployment and open up the state to investors.
