Governor Okezie Ikpeazu of Abia State says that his dream is to make Abia a strong economic hub through the ongoing Enyimba Economic City (EEC) project in the nearest future.
Ikpeazu made the declaration, Tuesday, while receiving the draft copy of the State’s long-term development plan, from a delegation of the Partnership Initiative in the Niger Delta (PIND) at the Government House, Umuahia.
He promised that his administration will commit itself to see the Abia long term development plan through.
Abia State in November 2018, emerged winner of the South-East Zonal Development Planning Competition, organized by PIND, the European Union, and Market Development in the Niger Delta (MADE).
As a scientist, Ikpeazu stated that he strongly believes that problems must be diagnosed and solved empirically, pointing out that he dreams to see Abia become a strong economic hub through the ongoing Enyimba Economic City (EEC) project in the nearest future.
He affirmed that his administration will take steps to get the plan working, as well as get the state on the path of sustainable growth, based on a homegrown plan, stressing that such would be one of the major interventions of his government.
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PIND said that Abia State long-term development plan is considered novel because it moves beyond a “Project mentality” (incrementally growing on the number of projects), achieving instead, large scale, sustainable system change
Dara Akala, executive director, PIND who spoke on behalf of the delegation explained that the organisation is focusing on development across the Niger Delta region, through a multi-sectoral approach.
Akala stated that PIND is committed to supporting Abia, through close partnership with the State planning commission, adding that the 2020-2050 long term development plan for the State is produced by Abians for Abians, to guide their development.
He stressed the need for government to adopt a demand-led approach in implementing the plan, and maintained that the issues of access to agricultural land, multiple taxation and security, should be considered to engender development and promote a stable environment.
Nnenna Chikezie, executive secretary, Abia State Planning Commission, noted that the work plan has twelve thematic areas, including education, infrastructure, health and oil and gas.
Chikezie added that stakeholders from the three senatorial zones of the State made their inputs towards the production of the Abia Long Term Development Draft Plan.
Aside Abia State, PIND worked with the Cross River State Government, to develop and launch the 30-year Cross River State Growth and Development Strategy in 2018.
They are also currently working with the Edo State Government (Western zone winner of the development planning competition), to develop a similar 30-year plan for the State.
PIND, which was established in 2012, by Chevron Nigeria Limited, aims at laying blueprint for sustainable growth in the Niger Delta region, through development planning.
