Anthony Anyalewechi,
Owerri
The Secretary to Imo Royal Council of Traditional Rulers, His Royal Highness (HRH) Eze Jude Chidi Nwaogu has called for a paradigm shift from government concentration on bureaucracy and politics to agriculture and industrial sectors of the economy.
The monarch argued that it has become necessary for Governor Hope Uzodinma to heed the call as there is no magic or alternative to cure present economic hardship biting the people of the state except government creates more employment opportunities in the private sector to decongest the overcrowding of workforce in government and public offices.
He stated this on the sidelines of a funeral at Isiama community, Isiala Mbano Local Government Area when he paid condolence visit to his colleague, Eze Oliver Ohanweh.
On security and wellbeing of Imo people, Nwaogu who is also the Chairman of Traditional Rulers, Owerri North and Secretary, Traditional Rulers, Owerri Zone, expressed optimistic that Governor Uzodinma will take advantage of co-operation existing between the government and traditional rulers as custodians of lives and properties at the grassroots to improve on the security situation that is drastically calming down across the state.
According to him, he has held several meetings with his subjects on strategic approach to flush out influx of criminals and charlatans who invade communities under the guise of tenants to carry out their nefarious activities. Before now, my domain recorded high level of security breaches as hoodlums vandalised electric transformers, high tension cables, and other public infrastructures.
He explained that Egbelu Obube people could not wait for government but resorts to self-help by putting up viable vigilant groups funded in collaboration with resourceful indigenes to check activities and movement of strange faces in and out of the community.
“As traditional rulers, we have a responsibility to keep our community safe and to ensure people lives within the confines of law. Government is doing her best but it is everyone’s duty to be security conscious. We cannot leave it to government alone”, he said.
As a Fellow, Chartered Certified Accountants of Nigeria, Nwaogu noted that if effort is not made by the Uzodinma led government to rejig the productive and manufacturing sector of the state economy, there could be possibility of potential exasperation due to the fact that these sectors have completely collapsed and in very bad state.
To have a hold on a recoverable economy, he advised that the Uzodinmaa leadership should take a cue from Governor Alex Otti of Abia State by providing strong and stable power generation as a bait to attract investors.
“Once the power system is fixed, most companies and conglomerates that left because they could not cope with the power situation in the state will come back. If the manufacturing industry comes back and the agricultural sector come back, the economy will bounce back. As it is, employment is mainly in the ministries, parastatals and that is destroying the economy more. However, opening up the agriculture and manufacturing sectors will open avenues for the people of the state to have surplus jobs”.
