The Guardian (Nigeria)

Tinubu promises S’east massive developmen­t, forward- looking government at town hall in Owerri

- From Collins Osuji, Owerri

ALLProgres­sives Congress ( APC) presidenti­al candidate, Bola Tinubu, has promised the people of South East massive economic developmen­t and forward- looking government, which would assuage past difficulti­es of the region.

He spoke at a town hall meeting with leaders of the private sector and trade associatio­ns, yesterday, in Owerri, Imo State capital.

The APC presidenti­al standard- bearer was responding to remarks of Ebonyi State Governor, David Umahi, who said the region had been neglected and abandoned since the end of the civil war, asking what

Tinubu had in store for the region.

Before his response to Umahi’s question, the APC presidenti­al candidate thanked the state governor, Hope Uzodimma, who is also the South East Coordinato­r of the Tinubu- Shettima Campaign, for facilitati­ng the town hall meeting.

Delivering his remarks, Tinubu addressed the issues raised by Umahi, as well as other developmen­t challenges of the region by recalling his experience as a little boy brought up by a mother who was a trader and market leader.

Tinubu said based on his experience and lessons learnt, he understand­s challenges traders, business owners and people of the region are facing.

Laying out his developmen­t plan for the region if elected the next president of Nigeria, Tinubu said new industrial hubs would be created in Aba and Owerri, while existing ones would be modernised.

He also promised that access to credit facilities would be available to traders across the region, and the countr y in general.

He said: “My government shall build an economy with a growing industrial base, more and better jobs for our youths, as well as more highqualit­y home- grown goods.

“We shall establish industrial hubs throu g h out the nation, and modernise existing ones. We will encourage and facilitate greater production in places like Owerri and Aba. At the same time, we shall broaden opportunit­ies for you to engage in more internatio­nal commerce by steering more activity towards ports outside of Lagos such as Onne.

“I envision Owerri- Port Harcourt and Aba- Port Harcourt corridors becoming more active, lucrative trade and manufactur­ing corridors than they already are.

“My administra­tion will establish policies that would widen your horizons and expand your business reach both in terms of goods, which you sell, and your geographic reach to new markets.”

 ?? ?? Imo State Governor, Hope Uzodimma ( right); APC Presidenti­al Candidate, Bola Tinubu; party’s National Chairman, Abdullahi Adamu and Director General, Tinubu- Shettima Presidenti­al Campaign Council, Simon Lalong during the party’s town hall meeting and dialogue, in Owerri… yesterday.
Imo State Governor, Hope Uzodimma ( right); APC Presidenti­al Candidate, Bola Tinubu; party’s National Chairman, Abdullahi Adamu and Director General, Tinubu- Shettima Presidenti­al Campaign Council, Simon Lalong during the party’s town hall meeting and dialogue, in Owerri… yesterday.

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