Imo State Governor, Hope Uzodimma has charged the Board and Management of the South East Development Commission (SEDC) to chat a course for the region’s economic and social development.

Uzodimma gave the charge on Saturday, when he received a team from the commission, led by its Chairman, Dr Emeka Wogu, at the Government House, Owerri.

He said that the commission was created to bring relief to the people of the region for the agonies suffered in the past.

He commended President Bola Tinubu “for his wisdom and courage in accepting and supporting the bill that established the commission.”

He said that in the past years, agitations to establish SEDC yielded no positive result.

The governor expressed joy that the establishment of the body became a reality under the Tinubu-led administration.

According to him, the people of the region will forever remain grateful to his administration.

He, therefore, sued for harmonious relationship between the board and the management of the commission.

“I urge you to use the opportunity to contribute your own quota toward the development of the region.

“Go there. Trust yourselves. Believe in yourself. Don’t try to pull anyone down,” the governor advised.

He also urged them to make proper consultations from the critical stakeholders in the region and ensure they conduct needs assessment of the people in a bid to serve them well.

“Strengthen agro-businesses, food security, enhance entrepreneurship, bring in digital skills to the teeming youths as well as attract foreign investment that will improve the economy and livelihood of people of the South East,” he said.

He further charged them to restore the dignity of Enugu as the headquarters of the region.

The governor said the commission was made up of “experienced hands, who have made their marks in the country as technocrats, businessmen, entrepreneurs and politicians.”

He pledged the support of the five governors of the region to the commission in a bid to serve the people better.

Earlier, the Chairman of the commission said that their visit was part of their official tour of the region aimed at strengthening collaboration with the governors in delivering the mandate of the commission.

Wogu commended Uzodimma for his achievements in infrastructure and social development, especially in the areas of healthcare, road infrastructure, education, power, industrialisation and civil service reforms, among others.

He said the commission, as an interventionist agency, will collaborate with the governors to drive sustainable development and unity in the region.

Also, the Managing Director of the commission, Chief Mark Okoye, said “the commission plans to create investment portfolio that would stimulate and drive the economy of the region, especially in the areas of mechanised agriculture and industrialisation to engineer the growth of private sector.”

Okoye further solicited Uzodimma’s support as the Chairman of the Progressives Governors’ Forum and South East Governors’ Forum, respectively and other governors in the region as they prepare to hit the ground running. (NAN)