Vitalis Orikeze Ajumbe, a former Board chairman, Imo Broadcasting Corporation (IBC) Management Committee; commissioner for Internal Resources and Pension Matters; commissioner for Information, Tourism and Public Utilities and now chairman, Committee for Commerce and Trade Development, Imo State, in this interview spoke to SABY ELEMBA on why Imo is investor-friendly, investment opportunities in the state, among others. Excerpts:
Looking at the state, can you say it is conducive for investments to thrive and are there investment opportunities?
There are many business opportunities for people to invest in Imo State. But even if any state has all the business opportunities but has no security, none of such investments will thrive. But in Imo State there is an enabling environment for business which the state government has provided, making sure that there is adequate security in the state and this has given room for investors to come and establish.
However, the major industry in the state is education; we have over eight tertiary institutions clustering in and around Owerri. And that number one industry is funded by the governor, Rochas Okorocha, he gave free education from primary to tertiary levels which has helped to reduce the suffering of parents and guardians, who hitherto were paying school fees and other fees, to train their children and wards in the state.
Are there other factors?
There is also the hospitality industry. Imo State has the highest number of hotel establishments, the tourism sector is thriving here more than in any other state in the South East and South-South geo-political zones put together, and there goes to show why hotels are fully booked every weekend.
If you are coming into Owerri town from Abuja or Lagos by flight on a Friday and if you do not book ahead you will not get a flight and if you are going back to Abuja or Lagos from Owerri and if you do not book ahead you will not get a flight. It shows how people flock to Owerri because of the hospitality industry. And what is the driving force? It is the steady security situation in the state.
There are so many security agencies the state government has established. Like Imo State Security Network, Imo State Security Watch and so many of them that complement the services of the Nigerian Security and Civil Defense Corps (NSCDC) the police, and other paramilitary agencies working in the state to ensure there is adequate security in the state. And that gives Owerri the status of “entertainment city” or “fun city” in the South East and South-South zones.
May we know some of the mineral deposits that can attract investors?
Yes. Mineral resources abound; Imo is part of Niger Delta Development Company (NDDC), it has crude oil deposits. In fact, the first oil well was discovered in Iho in Ikeduru Local Government Area before the Whiteman discovered crude oil in Oloibiri.
The state is also endowed with abundant non-metallic mineral resources which are in commercial quantities like Kaolin, clay, limestone and Alumina. Kaolin and Koalin-clay deposits are found in Nsu in Ehime Mbano Local Government Area and are also found in some places in Okigwe Local Government Area. Kaolin is used to produce paints, rubber, chalk, and pulp and paper even fertilizer. Also used in making cosmetics, ceramic wares, fillers, tiles, etc.
There are lime stone deposits in Okigwe Local Government Area which are used in ceramics, chemicals, water treatment, paint, paper, etc. Somebody can establish cement industry, chalk factory, etc.
There is also gypsum deposits found in Okigwe LGA and this is a major but essential ingredient of cement. We have virtually all the mineral resources, that need to be tapped and this is why the state is having this committee on Commerce and Trade Development. My committee is to bring in investors that will come and tap these untapped resources and develop the state.
Our people are also traders, and because of the state’s environment, we are developing 27 new markets and putting them into international standard, one in each local government area and this is directly under my supervision as the chairman, committee on commerce and trade development.
We are also upgrading the existing markets in Owerri city, Okigwe city and Orlu city, putting them in the international map. Each market will have modern toilets facilities, modern motor parks, clinic, police post, bank and a conference hall and the market will also be fenced in order to stop street trading around the market. The governor, Rochas Okorocha wants all these markets to be properly organised so that when you enter our markets in Owerri, Okigwe and Orlu it would be an example of a modern market.
Why is it that with the available huge investment opportunities, our people are still moving to other places to invest or look for jobs?
It is very clear because human wants are insatiable. You find out that those who lived in Owerri will not like to stay in Owerri but would want to go to Lagos and those who have lived in Lagos would like to go to other places.
Let me tell you, I am sorry to say it, the economy of this state is in the hands of foreigners, our people are becoming lazy and it worries me a lot, our people are no more into skills acquisition. If you go to any fine building in construction in the state, the people you see there as bricklayers are Yorubas and Togo people; if you go to traditional medicine, the Yorubas have taken over, the vibrant Pentecostal churches are owned by Yorubas, they put in pastors from Yoruba and you hardly see them put Igbo pastors. Our people will go there and pay tithes which they use to invest in Yoruba land and build universities which your children and mine cannot go.
SABY ELEMBA
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