The Imo House of Assembly on Thursday called on Gov. Hope Uzodimma to convoke a business summit in the state to showcase positive infrastructure and other enabling policy
By Ugonne Uzoma
The Imo House of Assembly on Thursday called on Gov. Hope Uzodimma to convoke a business summit in the state to showcase positive infrastructure and other enabling policy frameworks in the state.
The house also urged the Commissioners for Trade, Investment and Commerce, Industry and solid minerals, Finance, Digital Economy, Petroleum and Natural Gas development and other related agencies to join hands for the summit.
The house made the call following a motion sponsored by Mr Kingsley Ozurumba (APC-Isu) and seconded by the Deputy Majority Leader, Mr Samuel Osuji ( Isiala Mbano) during plenary in Owerri.
Ozurumba while leading debate on the motion noted that the governor had created an enabling environment for businesses to thrive in the state through well thought out policies.
He also observed that the improvement in roads, education, health, power, agriculture, security and other social investments had increased the interest of both foreign and local investors in the state.
The lawmaker observed that this responsible and positive governance policy thrust by the state government has not been matched by a commensurate inflow of investment expected in the state.
He said that this necessitated the need to promote the state and attract companies, businesses and investors to take advantage of the numerous positive government policies and enabling environment for businesses ventures.
He opined that the attraction of these investments through business summits and expositions would introduce and showcase the state to the rest of Nigeria and the world as a profitable destination to do business.
He, therefore, prayed the house to urge the commissioners of the related ministries to organise an investment promotional summit to showcase the positive investment climate and the enabling policies of the state government.
He also called for the invitation of captains of Industry, top federal government’s policy
formulators and other major players in the Nigeria’s economy to be part of the proposed summit.
He also urged them to identify and showcase the areas of the state’s comparative strength in investment with a view to highlighting the cumulative advantage to the Imo people and investment pastures.
Ozurumba further urged them to collaborate with the state’s Investment Promotion Agency so as to maximise and harness the very essence of the agency’s existence.
Supporting the motion, the Majority Leader, Mr Kanayo Onyemaechi (Owerri-West), noted that the motion outlined the many development strides of the current administration.
He added that the economy of the state had greatly improved and as such should be showcased to open more doors for investments and promote more growth for the state.
Contributing to the debate, Mr Kennedy Ibeh (APC-Obowo), noted that the success of the executive arm in developing the state was a testament to the synergy with the legislature.
He also noted that the access roads and other critical infrastructure such as hotels have been brought up to intercontinental standards for ease of business.
Also supporting, Mr Ozioma Ebonine (APC-Njaba), noted that the security of the state had greatly improved and as such the state was safe for both local and foreign investors.
Following more contributions and votes in favour of the motion, the Speaker, Mr Chike Olemgbe (Ihitte Uboma), ruled in favour of the prayers of the motion.
Olemgbe later directed the Clerk to communicate the resolutions to the relevant ministries and agencies for necessary action. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)
Read more on Newsdiaryonline Nigeria
