ENUGU STATE GETS A DEVELOPMENT BLUE PRINT

The Enugu State Economic Advisory Committee has come-up with a blue print on various aspects of development in the state, with emphasis on the state government’s economic plans.

The road map for the economic growth of the state beyond recession was revealed after a closed-door meeting of the committee at government house, Enugu.

Briefing journalists, the chairman of the committee, Professor Obiora Ike said that the body was making progress in addressing critical issues in development, especially in the area of security and investment promotion.

Professor Ike identified some development deficiencies in the state including the deplorable condition of Akanu Ibiam International Airport, untapped mineral resources and unemployment among others.

“Development in our state has multi-dimensions: social development, including infrastructure; economic development, where we are looking at numbers of our unemployed youths and how they can be meaningfully engaged. We have discovered that this airport (Akanu Ibiam International Airport) needs immediate Federal Government intervention and support.

Professor Ike called for more international partnerships and increased funding from the Federal Government.

For a former Minister for Power, Professor Barth Nnaji, international travelers were discouraged by the poor structures at the Akanu Ibiam International Airport.

Professor Nnaji identified the runways and other areas that needed urgent intervention.

“The only problem is that all airports are Federal Government managed; the state has limited ability to actually do anything. Akanu Ibiam International Airport needs urgent intervention in two critical areas of infrastructure: the runway, we can’t allow the runway to further deteriorate; the buildings, some part of the roof got blown away during a storm and has not been fixed.”

Other members of the committee, including Professor Osita Ogbu and Chief Loretta Aniagolu, commented on the recovery of presidential hotel and ensuring a sustainable business environment in the state.

“Speaking about Hotel Presidential, there was this purported seal: any one of them that the Privatization Council did not put their stamp of approval on cannot stand.

“People are not being allowed to make investment here and that is primarily because of the Hotel Presidential incident and that is absolutely incorrect. Enugu State is open for business, the state government is also looking at areas like creating education tourism and medical tourism as areas that will be opened to the public and investors to come into Enugu State and do business.”

On the aspect of education, another member, Ambassador Fidelia Njeze acknowledged the progress in upgrading the Institute of management and Technology, IMT to a University.

Also, the chairman board of internal revenue, Mr. Emeka Odo emphasized that modalities would be devised to ensure compliance to tax payment in the state.

CHUKWUMA EZEOGU