OCCIMA, Imo government strike cord for state’s economic growth
THE COAST MAY NOW BE CLEAR for the new president and council members of the Imo state organised private sector (OPS) led by Owerri Chamber of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture (OCCIMA) to soar because the present government led by Governor Emeka Ihedioha has accepted to work with OCCIMA and support it in order to make the state economically viable again.
During the governorship electioneering campaign of Emeka Ihedioha, now Governor, he said his administration would cause industrial revolution, create jobs and wealth, create industrial clusters and parks in the three senatorial zones of the state in partnership with the OPS led by OCCIMA.
In a manner which suggested that Governor Ihedioha was going to fulfill his promise, some captains of industries in the state who spoke to BUSINESS A.M. on condition of anonymity, said, “Ihedioha has started very well and he is serious in wooing investors, he is serious in working with OCCIMA we expect to see influx of investors to the state soon.”
Speaking immediately after his investiture and inauguration as the new President of OCCIMA, Everest Okpara said that with the collective efforts of all of OCCIMA members, “during my tenure as the Acting President, we were able to steer this ship of OCCIMA to the path of harmony and progress. As the acting President, I drew a Blueprint “A Road Map for Greater Tomorrow,” which showcases my plan for this chamber. With your unconditional support and contributions, I was able to see to the implementations of the blueprint. Our relationship with the state government has since been revived. We have been partnering with the state government on several business oriented projects,” he said.
The OCCIMA boss went further to say, “We were faced with a number of challenges, which included cold relationship between the chamber and previous state governments, indifference of state government to activities of OCCIMA, lack of team spirit and cohesion, members’ apathy, misplaced strategy and priority, lack of resources among others.