By Valentine Amanze
The Deputy Governor of Imo State, Prince Eze Madumere, has commended the British Government for its interest to partnering with Imo State and other South Eastern states with a view to finding a common interest for development.
Prince Madumere made the commendation when a delegation from the British High Commission led by British Deputy High Commissioner to Nigeria, Harriet Thompson, hosted the deputy governor to a dinner at the weekend in Owerri, the capital city of Owerri.
In a statement by the Media aide to the deputy governor, Uche Onwuchekwa, the delegation had sought a strategic partnership with the state in divers areas, ranging from energy, infrastructure, education, transport and agriculture.
But in her entreaties, the British Deputy High Commissioner averred that the United Kingdom valued its relationship with Nigeria and therefore was willing to work closely with it to ensure that Nigeria reaches its full potential given its vast human and material resources.
The leader of the delegation further revealed of the mission’s exploit in the South East zone where it had extended its support through its Department For Foreign Trade (DIT), Department For International Development (DFID) and Political Adviser’s Office.
The delegation from the United Kingdom also expressed worries over the preparedness of the state and the relevant institutions to conduct a free and effective general election in 2019 following the threats being issued by separatist group, Independent People of Biafra (IPOB) led by Nnamdi Kanu.
The deputy governor, Prince Madumere, while expressing happiness over the partnership sought by the British delegation, explained that Imo would be interested in the area of developing its agriculture and agribusiness, mapping out some local government areas of the state that have both land mass with fertile soil for agriculture.
The number two citizen of the state revealed that Sam Mbakwe International Cargo Airport was designed to help in transporting and exporting farm produce to the destinations where they are needed. He added that the value chain of agriculture and agro-allied industries is huge, especially in the area of employment generation for the youths, which will reduce the crime rate and restiveness.
Madumere also pointed out that Health Sector needs serious attention, regretting how woeful the Okorocha led administration performed in the sector despite its extensive importance to the well being of the people.
He attributed the failure to the chief executive’s disregard to expertise advice and policy summersault.
He hailed Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) for keeping to its promise to deliver. He also raised the issue of uncertainty that has befallen the major political parties in the country owing to internal schism.
He however hailed the leadership of the All Progressives Congress for rising to the challenge towards resolving all other issues for a harmonious preparation towards the 2019 election.
The deputy governor who survived Governor Okorocha’s impeachment onslaught following his victory at the courts also predicted that President Muhammadu Buhari would win Imo State and with good impacts generally in the South East.
He hinged his reasons on the performance of President Buhari in the South East, enumerating some of his major projects in the area of the maintaining the major highways in the zone.
