ECONOMIC SUMMIT: GOV UZODIMMA PLANS BEYOND OIL REVENUE

 
REPORTER: CHINAZO ILECHUKWU

Governor Hope Uzodimma of Imo State has challenged monarchs and other stakeholders in the oil bearing communities of Imo State and some parts of Rivers State to look beyond crude oil and embrace new strategies aimed at diversifying the economy of the people.

He was speaking at an economic summit in Owerri tagged “Our People beyond Oil” organized for leaders and the people of oil producing communities living around Urashi River.

Governor Uzodimma said the global economy was moving beyond fossil fuel to renewable energy.

This new move to renewal energy, he said, posed a threat countries, states and communities with over-reliance on crude hence his administration had committed to dredging of Urashi River to create more business opportunities, especially for youths.

The Governor, who was represented at the occasion by the Commissioner for Petroleum, Mr. Eugene Opara, expressed delight with the interest displayed by royal fathers from the oil-rich communities and appealed to them to be selfless by ensuring that the new petroleum industry act achieved the desired goal.

The Chairman of the occasion and former Governor of Old Rivers State, King Alfred Diette-Spiff, said the essence of the summit was for the stakeholders in the oil sector to brainstorm on how to sustain themselves in the wake of dwindling oil revenues.

The traditional ruler expressed confidence that the dredging of the Urashi would create more job opportunities for the youth in the Urashi riverine areas.

Conveners of the Summit, Mr. Ejike Chukwu and ms Adaora Onyechere, emphasized the importance of the summit and the need to implement the recommendations reached for the development and growth of the area.

EDITED BY CHUKWUBUIKE MADU