…Team visits largest private sector investment site today
By Ibrahim Mohammed, Owerri
Imo State Commissioner for Information, Public Orientation and Strategy, Mr Declan Emelumba, said the partnership between the federal government and the state under the leadership of Governor Hope Uzodimma is accerating development across various sectors in Imo.
Emelumba stated this on Wednesday while fielding questions from journalists on the Renewed Hope Ambassadors/Presidential Media Team tour of landmark projects in state.
According to him, the ongoing upgrade and construction of a standard runway at the Sam Mbakwe International Cargo Airport is a major feature of the partnership between Imo State and the President Bola Tinubu-led administration.
He added that when upgrading work is completed, the airport`s original building for cargo freight “will boost economic activities in the South East region” with a multiplier effect on the nation’s economy.
In this vein, the commissioner pointed out that the expansion of the airport is designed to transform the facility into a major logistics and export hub, with eight modern warehouses for storage and cargo handling.
Besides, since the removal of fuel subsidy which the federal government is leveraging on to shore up revenue, several landmark projects were financed by the Imo State government through the expanded fiscal space available to state governments.
“This is Alvan Ikoku Federal University of Education. This place used to be Alvan Ikoku College of Education Owerri, previously owned by the state. Now, the federal government upgraded it to a university less than a year ago.
“What is important here is not just that it has been upgraded, it is a project that had been dear to every government in Imo State, but none was able to accomplish it because this is one of the oldest Federal Government Colleges of Education in Nigeria.
“I think they said there were about six in the country. Almost all of them had been converted to Federal Universities of Education. So every government in Imo struggled to get it converted, but could not realize it until the coming of Governor Uzodimma. And this was realized less than a year ago,” he said.
According to the commissioner, enhanced funding has enabled Governor Uzodimma’s administration to accelerate infrastructure development, while complementing federal interventions across critical sectors, including transportation, healthcare and education.
Furthermore, the achievements also demonstrated the shared development vision of President Tinubu and Governor Uzodimma with a view to delivering sustainable development and improve the quality of life for Nigerians.
On his part, the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Special Duties, who doubles as the Director of Media & Publicity, Renewed Hope Ambassadors, Alhaji Tunde Rahman, on the first day of the tour to Imo State, emphasised that the successful execution of projects including the university upgrade and improvements to a federal teaching hospital, demonstrates the “beauty and significance” of a state aligning with the federal government for development purposes.
Rahman commended Governor Uzodimma for undertaking projects that support the federal government’s Renewed Hope Agenda, especially the educational initiatives like “NELFUND” which ensures that indigent students have access to affordable education.
On the second day of the media tour, the Special Adviser to the President on Media and Public Communications, Mr Sunday Dare, while interacting with journalists, lauded the infrastructure development in Imo under the Uzodimma-led administration.
Dare also appreciated the state government for the Digital City initiative, where smartphones and laptops are being assembled, thus positioning Imo State as a centre for digital technology and innovation in Nigeria.
“These projects align with the mission and vision of President Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda through the implementation of different legacy projects across the state.
“This will not have been possible without the increased FAAC allocation that comes monthly from the federal government to the state government, providing extra funds for development projects.
“We have seen in a couple of other states in the north how All Progressives Congress, APC, governors are utilising these extra funds for infrastructural development. We have seen how state and federal governments are working together on projects delivery,” he said.
Meanwhile, Governor Uzodimma is expected later on Friday to showcase the Seplat Energy ANOH Gas Processing Plant facility, which is the largest private investment in Imo State.
AljazirahNigeria reports that it is a $700 million facility located in Assa, Ohaji/Egbema. Built through a joint venture with the NNPC, the plant processes 300 million standard cubic feet of gas per day (MMscfd).
