South East Govs Harp For Regional Development, Integration  

By Asaba-ase Stephen

Abia State Governor, Dr. Alex Otti, OFR, has said that the South East Governors are working in collaboration to achieve regional unity, despite party differences.

Otti, who stated this while receiving a delegation of a joint committee of South East Council of traditional rulers and delegation of Archbishops and Bishops of Igbo origin, head by the Obi of Onitsha, Igwe Nnaemeka Achebe, explained general challenging issues such as security, unemployment and poverty remains paramount to the Governors as no transformative development can take place in an atmosphere of this three key problems.

He also stated further that, despite party differences, the South East Governors were committed to putting governance on the Frontline as they continues to meet and discuss issues affecting the south Eastern region.

“I can assure you that, we are working in unison irrespective of our dichotomy in our party leaning. We have made everybody to understand that after political party election and litigations, governance takes the focal point. So, We will be meeting regularly to talk about Eastern challenges and proffer a laudable, sustainable and developmental solutions.

“Anyways, we must tackle security problems as a region even if the national government as failed, unemployment and poverty feeds banditry and we need to do everything possible to ensure that human and material resources are highest judiciously in our South Eastern region.

“I have a clear vision of what to do in governance, one of my plans is to develop Aba. If Aba is developed, it can have marginal spread across the whole of the South Eastern region.

“Power supply is the major enabler required to spur development in Aba and the entire South East region. The 141 Megawatt Power Plant in Aba would be commissioned next week Monday to provide uninterrupted power supply for Aba and its environ, covering about nine LGAs.”

He disclosed that his administration is engaged on discussions on how to provide the same 24 hours power supply to all parts of the State.

“That is why we are focus Aba and Umuahia. We have come to fix this place and we must do that. When we have fixed this places, I’m sure it will spur others when the results start trickling down”

Earlier, the statemen of this noble delegation, Igwe Nnaemeka Achebe said that the purpose of the setting up this commission was birth out existence for peace building and integrated development in the South Eastern region.

Igwe Achebe, who stated that the visit of Otti was the first physical meeting the body they are holding, disclosed that the group had engaged with some Governors in the zone, virtually.

He said that this noble body is committed to projecting peace, mutual respect, love and welfare of Ndi Igbo and commended the Governor for his achievements and the manner he manages the scarce human and material resources of the State, describing him as the standard for Igbo leadership.

Achebe urged the South East Governors to come together and bring integration and sustainable political environment to the South Eastern region and stated need for the Igbo to build a nation of economic prosperity.

Other members of the body at the visit were, Chairman, South East Traditional Rulers Council, Ambassador Igwe Lawrence Agubuzu, Chairman, Center for Values and Leadership/ Founding Faculty, Lagos Business School, Prof. Pat Utomi; ArchBishop Raphael Opoko of Methodist church Nigeria , ArchBishop David Onuoha of Anglican Church, Owerri; Dr. Uju Agomoh among others.