KEY INTO OKOBI PROGRAMME— UZODIMMA URGES IMO COMMUNITIES

REPORTER: CHUKWUKA AGUKWE

Imo State Government has directed all the 655 autonomous communities in the area to key into one kindred One Business (OKOBI) programmme as a means of employment generation in the local areas.

Governor Hope Uzodimma, who stated this at an emergency Exco meeting at the government house, stressed that it would boost food production.

Briefing journalists at the end of the meeting, the Chief Economic Adviser to the Governor Professor Kenneth Amaeshi said the administration had made it compulsory for every community to identify their own businesses for government to support them.

Professor Amaeshi explained that the programme would encourage people to work in groups as cooperative societies.

The Chief Economic Adviser pointed out that the Okpofe Community in Ezinihitte Mbaise Local Government Area had already taken off and 300 business ideas had been identified for potential establishment in communities in Imo State.

He explained that the Exco members were grieved on the demise of the immediate past president general of Ohaneze Ndigbo Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu and condemned the gruesome murder of nine persons in Umucheke Okwe Onuimo Local Government Area.

The Chief Economic Adviser further noted that the executive council commended the State Governor for the pace of work at Control Post and ongoing bridge construction at Ihiagwa in Owerri West and noted that the inner ring roads leading to Timber Market Naze and Alaba Market are currently receiving attention.

He said the Exco appealed to the traders at the two markets to be patient and assured them that the construction would resume in full force when the raining seasons were over.

EDITED BY CHUKWUBUIKE MADU