The South East Development Commission (SEDC) says it is set to launch agro-industrial revolution that made the defunct Eastern Region the fastest growing economy in the world between 1954 and 1964.
The Commission gave the assurances at Nomeh, Nkanu East Council 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 Agromechanisation 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.
Speeaking 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 job and business opportunities, making agriculture attractive to the youths.
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 could 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, 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 Gov. Mbah for his proactiveness in laying out a robust and elaborate agricultural blueprint for Enugu State, he said the Agro-mechanisation project would also be cited at Elugwu Akwu, Oji River LGA in Enugu West Senatorial District.
Others were Nkpologwu, Uzo Uwani LGA in Enugu North Senatorial District to the benefit of the host communities and 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 Agromechanisation 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 agromechenisation 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 a 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 Gov Peter Mbah for choosing Nomeh to host the pilot project. We do not take it for granted.”
