By Our Correspondent
Imo State, christened land of Hope, has been described as the most backward State in Nigeria.
The Labour Party Governorship aspirant in Imo State, Sir Basil Maduka made this assertion in a chat with newsmen in Port Harcourt yesterday.
Maduka who is the Managing Director of Virgin Group, a big player in the Oil and Gas sector regretted that Imo State has been lagging behind in the area of economic and infrastructural development in the country despite its potentials.
Sir Maduka noted that Imo State had a big opportunity to be great during the time of President Goodluck Jonathan’s government when so many Imo sons and daughters were part of the government.
“Unfortunately, they did not utilise the opportunity for the growth and development of the State. They could not attract any form of federal government presence here, not even to upgrade the Sam Mbakwe Cargo Airport in Owerri which could have improved the economy of the State.
“We had ministers, defacto Speaker and Deputy Speaker of the House, Permanent Secretary, FCT, Chairman of the Christian Pilgrim’s Welfare Board, Chairman Senate Committee on Aviation, Chairman House Committee on Aviation and Senate Committee on Army and Navy and Chairman of Road Safety etc, yet we could not attract any development to the State.
Instead, played to the gallery. There were infighting and enviousness among themselves. And lack of focus. They were interested in personal aggrandizement rather than work for the interest of the State.
The fall out is that Imo State has remained underdeveloped even under the government that took over from the Jonathan administration.
Sir Maduka, who is also a knight of the Anglican Church decried the lack of employment opportunities for Imo State youths occasioned by lack industries in the State.
“Unemployment is very high in Imo State, that is why criminality is on the high side.
I keep telling people that there is no insecurity in the State. The crux of the matter is poverty. People are hungry. If you cure hunger in the land, you will see how criminality will disappear. Criminality is man-made because of hunger”, he noted.
On his plans to revamp the economy of Imo State if elected governor, Sir Maduka explained that Imo has a lot of potential which he would harness for the betterment of the people,. stressing that he would bring back Imolites in the diaspora and create an enabling environment that will make business to thrive.
He also said that his government won’t be depending on federal allocation from Abuja to run his State as he is aware that the Federal Government is bankrupt already.
“‘I will generate my own money from the State. The Internal Generated Revenue of the State, IGR is not too poor.. Imo State debt profile as at today is about 200 billion naira, which might rise up to 300 billion naira before the current administration in the State winds up.
Further,. Sir Maduka bemoaned the high bank interest rate which has made him to think outside the box on ways to to make Imolites happy when he resumes as governor.
How then will Maduka run the State without sweat? we asked.
According to the likeable oil and gas magnet, “I will allow foreign investors to come in and invest their money. I have the goodwill from my international partners. They will come once they know that Basil is on the saddle
“I will also bring Imo traders together. And since banks are not given friendly facilities anymore, I will set up a facility scheme where traders can access seed funds to run their business.
The arrangement is that through the scheme I would create at least 1000 millionaires each month.
By the time the multiplier effects of the seed money begin to yield results, we shall start to generate little taxes for government.
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