Vice President, Senator Kashim Shetima says South East Development Commission offers an unprecedented opportunity for South East region to integrate for economic growth.
Senator Shetima who came up with this at South East Development Commission Stakeholders Forum in Enugu, called for deliberate actionable plans that would foster development.
The Vice President charged South East Stakeholders to collaborate and form a strong alliance to enhance development.
Senator Shetima who admitted that the region has been laid back in infrastructural development, encouraged the commission to seek funding across borders to realize the vision of Regional Development.
Addressing the gathering, Minister of Regional Development, Chief Abubakar Momo called for collaboration between South East, Niger Delta, NDDC and South South Development Commissions to embark on mega projects that would connect both regions.
Chief Abubakar who admitted that he inaugurated many NDDC projects , told the people that the establishment of the Regional Development was for the regions to boost economic development of the regions and nation at Large.
He noted that each of the states of the South East is equipped with resources that could be galvanized together to move the region forward.
According to him, the South East is blessed with exceptional entrepreneurship attributes, commerce and innovation that would make the region thrive in infrastructure, manufacturing and human capital development.
While calling for collaboration between the commission and South East Governors, the Managing Director South East Development Commission, Mr. Mark Okoye assured of the readiness of SEDC to join forces and make the region an industrial hub.
In their different presentations, the five South East Governors who were unanimous in their resolve to leverage on each of the states’ comparative advantage for the benefit of the region, also emphasized on the need to embark on long lasting infrastructure.
Present at the event were dignitaries from other Regional Development Commissions, including Chairman NDDC Board, Mr. Chiedu Ebie and Managing Director, Dr. Samuel Ogbuku.
