The South East Development Commission (SEDC) says it is set to launch an agro-industrial revolution similar to the one that made the defunct Eastern Region the fastest-growing economy in the world between 1954 and 1964.
The Commission gave these assurances at Nomeh, Nkanu East Local Government Area of Enugu State, during a community engagement with leaders and stakeholders of the community on Thursday.
The Commission said it was embarking on three agro-mechanisation projects, one in each of the three senatorial zones of Enugu, Abia, Imo, Anambra and Ebonyi States, in partnership with the state governments, starting with Enugu.
Speaking on the project, Dr Clifford Ogbede, Executive Director, Natural Resources, Agriculture and Rural Development (NRARD) at the SEDC, said the project would also provide numerous direct and indirect jobs and business opportunities, making agriculture attractive to the youth.
Ogbede, represented by his Technical Adviser in the Commission, Dr Chris Uwadoka, explained that the projects would also attract local and foreign investors, giving Igbos in the diaspora the opportunity to be part of rebuilding the South East.
“We can all recall that the Eastern Region economy was at a point rated as the fastest-growing economy in the world. That means that we were ahead of many leading economies of today in terms of growth.
“At the root of it was agriculture, thanks to the visionary leadership of the former Premier of the region, the late Dr Michael Okpara.
“So, after thorough brainstorming sessions, the SEDC came up with a blueprint to restore the region’s lost glory, starting with agriculture,” he said.
Commending Governor Mbah for his proactivity in laying out a robust and elaborate agricultural blueprint for Enugu State, he said the agro-mechanisation project would also be sited at Elugwu Akwu, Oji River Local Government Area in Enugu West Senatorial District.
Others would be at Nkpologwu, Uzo-Uwani Local Government Area in Enugu North Senatorial District, to the benefit of the host communities and the South East.
“Mbah nominated Nomeh for the programme. It is a good thing for this community because SEDC is going to bring the best possible agricultural knowledge into the territory and other benefits,” he said.
He dismissed the notion that the agro-mechanisation project was a ploy to grab grazing lands for cattle herders.
“There is absolutely nothing like that. This is an entirely South East initiative for the benefit of the region, then the nation. It is very untrue and not part of the blueprint,” he concluded.
In his remarks, the Enugu State Liaison Officer to the Commission, Chief Edeani Edeani, said the Federal Government and Mbah were determined to use agriculture to fight insecurity.
“With such massive agro-mechanisation projects across the South East, our spaces will be more effectively and gainfully occupied and governed. Also, the youths will be gainfully employed,” he stated.
Speaking, a community leader and Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on Media, Uche Anichukwu, thanked President Bola Tinubu for establishing the SEDC after many failed attempts by Ndigbo under previous administrations.
“I worked at the national parliament for several years, and I am very much aware of the many attempts to set up a commission without success.
“It was either the bill did not scale through the parliament or it was denied presidential assent.
“But on 24th July 2024, President Tinubu graciously signed into law the legal framework creating the SEDC to rebuild infrastructure and serve as a platform for coordinated regional development,” he said.
He lauded the SEDC Managing Director, Mark Okoye, and his team for launching out with agriculture as a pivot for the economic revival and growth of the region, noting that they had brought “a totally fresh approach to running regional development commissions.”
“As a community, we are most grateful to the President and Governor Peter Mbah for choosing Nomeh to host the pilot project. We do not take it for granted.”
