Guardian / Nigeria: Efforts at re-positioning the South-East geo political zone as a major economic backbone of the country may have started in earnest as the five governors from the region resolved to pursue a common economic blueprint that would boost its fortunes.
The governors, who were meeting for the first time since the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) lost the presidential election in 2015, said they would work together to develop the economic potentials of the zone, so as to raise revenues, cause development and create jobs for the teeming youths.
And apparently to put a stamp in their new desire, the governors who were physically present at the meeting, which held yesterday in Enugu, nominated Governor David Umahi of Ebonyi State as their new chairman. He replaced former Abia governor, Theodore Orji.
Briefing newsmen shortly after the meeting, Umahi stated they also resolved to pursue a common security agenda so as to stem the tide of kidnapping and other security challenges that could affect the overall development of the zone.
To fortify the cause for economic integration of the region, the Ebonyi State chief executive disclosed that the economic commissioners of the five states had being mandated to meet at a later date for the purposes of articulating a joint economic agenda of development that will better the lot of the people.
His words: “We decided to have proper economic integration of the South East zone. And in this regard, we have instructed the economic commissioners of the various states to come out with a blue print in that regard.
“I want to first of all accept the leadership position that my colleagues have imposed on me. Though I am not most qualified, but they decided that I should lead the South East Governors’ Forum at a time like this. So I want to thank them with all sense of humility and I accept with all my heart.”
