ECONOMY: CIVIL SOCIETY GROUP CANVASSES GOVT SUPPORT TO FARMERS, CONDUCT OF LG POLL IN IMO

REPORTER: CHINAZO ILEC

Civil Society groups want the Imo State Government to pay more attention to agriculture to help address the rising cost of food and high unemployment rate in the area.

The Coordinator of a nongovernmental organization, Tax Justice and Governance Platform, Mr. Chibundu Uchegbu, made the call in a news conference held in collaboration with Civil Society Legislative Advocacy Centre in Owerri.

He called on the government to deploy technology to farming and provide interest-free agricultural loan to youths, noting that Imo is blessed with arable lands.

He explained the current economic situation in the country required drastic measures, including fiscal responsibility, harmonization of taxes and people-centered policies by the government.

Mr. Uchegbu also expressed worry about the huge debt burden incurred by the state and urged the legislature to henceforth ensure that every loan being obtained was tied to capital projects.

He attributed corruption in the third tier of government to non conduct of local government election and appealed to the both the executive and legislative arms of government to urgently commence the process of election to accelerate development in the rural areas.

The civil society groups frowned at the continuous collection of local revenue by agents of the Imo State Government and appealed to Governor Hope Uzodimma to abide by the provisions of the law in this regard.

EDITED BY CHUKWUBUIKE MADU