By Praise Chinecherem
Former governorship candidate of the Africa Liberation Party (ALP), Chief Imoyeto Ikeotuonye has urged South East Development Commission (SEDC) to double its efforts to drive the socio-economic development of the geopolitical zone to meet the people’s expectations.
Ikeotuonye while addressing journalists in Nnewi, Anamabra State, yesterday, said the tasks before the commission are enormous given the dilapidated infrastructure in the South East zone.
He urged the commission to intensify efforts to rehabilitate and upgrade roads, bridges, water supply, power, and telecommunications infrastructure across the South-East.
According to him, the commission has the duty to promote industrialization in the zone by supporting small and medium enterprises (SMEs), agriculture, and manufacturing.
He added that SEDC should create special economic zones or industrial parks to attract investment.
Addressing the underlying causes of insecurity which include youth unemployment and marginalization, Chief Ikeotuonye expressed the need for the commission to collaborate with security agencies to ensure peace and order.
“Other areas you are expected to show much concern are environmental and ecological management. It should mitigate the impact of erosion and environmental degradation, which are major challenges in the region.
“Implement sustainable land and water use policies and human capital development by investing in education, vocational training, and healthcare.
“Support programmes aimed at youth empowerment and skills acquisition.
“There’s also need for cultural and regional integration to promote unity and cultural identity within the region, partner with other regional development commissions for shared learning and projects, “he added.
The former governorship candidate explained that the the commission could meet people’s expectations through inclusive planning and transparency.
He said SEDC should engage communities and stakeholders in project planning, publish budgets, project timelines, and progress reports to build trust.
For quick wins and high-impact projects, he urged the commission to start with visible and impactful projects including road repairs and water supply to build confidence.
“Ensure equitable distribution of projects across all five states in the zone. Work with state governments, traditional institutions, civil society, and international partners for funding and technical expertise.
“Pay attention to capacity building and employment creation, prioritize job creation for youths through infrastructure projects and entrepreneurship programme. It is a veritable instrument to fight crime.
“And to get it right, there is need for monitoring and accountability. This can be achieved through the establishment of independent oversight committees to monitor project execution and prevent corruption.
“The commission has to sustain public engagement, create communication channels through radio, town halls, social media to inform and get feedback from the public.
“All these should be well articulated and deployed for maximum results, “Chief Ikeotuonye concluded.
