The Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, has called on the people of the South East to take full advantage of federal government initiatives designed to foster development in the region.
Speaking in Umuahia during the Federal Government South East milestone event themed “Tinubu Administration’s Mid-Term Report”, Idris highlighted several projects and programmes under the Renewed Hope Agenda, including the cassava bio-ethanol project in Enugu, youth agricultural empowerment initiatives, relief packages for persons with disabilities, the student loan scheme, consumer credit corporation, compressed natural gas (CNG) project, Skill-Up Artisans programme, national youth talent export initiative, housing schemes, nano-business support, and health sector interventions such as the commissioning of a cancer centre in Enugu and upgraded mother-and-child centres in Abia and Imo States.
Represented by the chairman association of heads of federal establishments in Abia state, Mrs Gloria Abiakam, the minister also listed critical infrastructure projects like the construction of the Second Niger Bridge and the ongoing Enugu-Onitsha expressway rehabilitation, urging state and local governments to ensure citizens are adequately informed and encouraged to seize the opportunities. Idris further reassured the people of the federal government’s commitment to the region’s well-being.
Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Benjamin Kalu, represented by Mike Ukoha, noted that for the first time in over five decades since the civil war, the South East now has a legal framework for regional development through the establishment of the South East Development Commission, following a bill sponsored by him and signed into law by President Tinubu.
He appealed to residents not to be misled by detractors, assuring that he would personally convey their concerns to the President.
Also speaking, resource person Mr. Sam Odita urged the people to acknowledge the administration’s developmental strides and maximize available opportunities.
In their goodwill messages, the traditional ruler of Okwu Olokoro, Eze Ifeanyi Izuogu, Abia CAN chairman Rev. Ojoh Uduma (represented by Dr. Francis Okire), State NOA Director Mrs. Regina Iroha, and Chairman of the Muslim Pilgrim Board, Sheikh Mohammed, encouraged citizens to adopt a positive outlook toward federal interventions. They, however, appealed to President Tinubu to address pressing issues of insecurity, hunger, and equitable infrastructure distribution, as well as revive railway transportation in the region.
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