The managing director of the Southeast Development Commission (SEDC), Mark Okoye, said his goal is to grow the economy of the current region $ 40 billion to $ 200 billion by 2035.
Okoye revealed this in his inaugural speech made available to journalists in Awka on Wednesday.
Remember that the SEDC Board was inaugurated in Abuja on Tuesday.
Okoye said that the SEDC rake was the beginning of the reconstruction and reconstruction of the geopolitical region of the southeast 54 years after the end of the civil war.
He said the task ahead was huge, citing the World Bank saying that Southeast required an annual investment of $ 10 billion over the next 30 years to close the infrastructure gap.
He said that the region faced numerous challenges at this time, including the hard investment climate due to security concerns, low ease of doing business, unemployment and 2,500 active erosion sites that result in the displacement of thousands of people.
The MD said that the Commission would rely on the support of President Bola Tinubu and the governors of the five states, the private sector and strategic associations, will lay the foundations for the realization of economic objectives.
He said that the SEDC had studied regional development plans beyond the visionary economic plans of Dr. Michael Okpara that laid the foundations for our industrial and agricultural potential.
“Despite these obstacles, we remain a resistant and entrepreneurial people, now it is up to us to shape southeast that we imagine in the framework of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
“Working with state governments, the private sector ecosystem and development partners, we will lead southeast to a regional economy of $ 200 billion by 2035.
“We will not pay the lip service to development, SEDC will prioritize action on rhetoric and results on promises,” he said.
Okoye said the commission would celebrate strategic participation with state governments, the private sector, the academy/research institutions, traditional rulers, religious leaders and civil society as part of their takeoff.
He said that in the realization of the renewed agenda of hope of Mr. President, the Commission would prioritize the development of security and investment infrastructure, agriculture, industrialization, technology/innovation and the development of human capital.
“Our possession will be based on transparency, responsibility and public participation, each project will be aligned with a clear road map and offer a measurable impact.
“In the coming months, we will embark on several projects, programs and initiatives designed to accelerate the development of our region,” he said.
Okoye appreciated President Tinubu for trust and confidence placed on him and his colleagues, as well as in the National Assembly for his role in approved the SEDC bill, nominations and subsequent confirmation.
“When Mr. President presented the renewed agenda of Hope and was sworn in the position in 2023, he promised to show visionary leadership, one rooted in inclusion, progressive governance and strong institutions.
“He promised a new public service style that encourages a society based on shared prosperity, tolerance, compassion and an unwavering commitment to treat each citizen with equal respect and due respect,” he said.
For its part, Chief Emeka Wogu, president of the Board of SEDC, said that the objective of the commission is to contribute to the general development of the region through the implementation of high -value shocking projects.
“We hope to create jobs for thousands of our young people, aligned with the forwarding mandate of hope,” he said.