Leaders told to Implement Policies to Attract Investments in Igboland<br>…IPDEI holds Conference in Owerri

Ikenna Orioha

An entrepreneurial expert, Chief Joseph Chukwuma Ikunna, has urged the leaders of South East to implement policies in order to create fertile environment that will attract indigenous investments in Igboland to advance economy for development.

Ikunna gave the charge for Igbo political leaders to implement solutions to strengthen agro business, entrepreneurship, commerce and industry, education and vocation to enhance economy for even development, relative peace and security in the society, while delivering keynote address during the 2019 Maiden Annual Conference organized by Igbo Professionals for Development and Empowerment Initiative (IPDEI), held in Owerri, last Saturday.

Speaking on the topic, "Indigenous Investments: Key to Economic Development and Empowerment of the South East", Ikunna stressed that a Public Private Partnership, as a Contractual Agreement between a public agency(federal, state or local government)and a private sector entity ought to be implemented and prioritized as a way of encouraging investments.

Ikunna buttresses that "through the agreement, the skills and assets of each sector (public and private) are shared in delivering service or facility for the use of the public.

In addition to be sharing of resources, each party shares in the risks and rewards potential in delivery of the service or facility", urging state governments in the South East to "start to implement the many ideas and policies presented to them by economists and our intelligentsia...all parties should understand the infrastructural deficit and work together to overcome it and improve on infrastructure through public and private partnerships".

He harped that infrastructure should be built across Igboland to attract investments, engage young people in meaningful activities like white collar jobs, active farming or agriculture, artisanship, commerce and industry, saying rulers of the region " need to fully understand the lack of jobs in Igboland and tell themselves that they want to make a difference, no matter how tough it is to do business here.

"This is the first thing I want us to know because if we are waiting for when conditions will suit us, they may never. It must be a do or die affair to emancipate the region and ensure that it survives. There must be sacrifice, love of people and deep satisfaction in empowerment rather than making deep profits. That is not to say there is not good money to be made by investing in Igboland", Ikunna buttressed.

The theme of the conference is Indigenous Investments: Key to Economic Development and Empowerment of South East with Livy-Elcon Emereonye, President, Igbo Professionals for Development and Empowerment Initiative outlining that one of the goals of the group is to advise and assist communities and governments on the implementation of solutions to certain problems critical to the life and survival of the people.

Emereonye who maintained that "the best time to plant is now because osita dinma anti ekele Chukwu.

The choice is to build an economically buoyant zone of ourselves for ourselves in our collective responsibility. What we make of this choice today will say s lot about us tomorrow",

…©️News Corner.