8th May, 2017
The South East Governors’ Forum has described the power situation in the zone as worrisome.
They also called for urgent steps to be taken by the relevant authorities to ameliorate the challenges.
Briefing newsmen on Sunday after its meeting in Enugu, the Chairman of the forum, Gov. Dave Umahi of Ebonyi said that the zone needed quality electricity supply to attain its much-needed development.
Umahi said that the power situation in the zone featured prominently in their meeting.
He said that they were at a loss that the only independent power plant in state had not been injected into the system.
He said that the injection of power from Geometrix Power Plant in Aba, Abia, would solve the power needs of the area.
The governor said the forum had taken necessary measures to ensure that the right things were done for entrepreneurs and investors in the area to get value for their businesses.
“We discussed about the power needs in the South-East which is a catalyst for our economic development.
“We want to know why Geometrix has not been injected into the system. We believe that its injection will power the zone and assist us in the area of our commerce,” he said.
Umahi said they were not unmindful of the situation with the Enugu Electricity Distribution Company, adding that there would be an interface with the management to find solution to their challenges.
“We shall interact with the management of EEDC and find out ways to improve power generation in the zone.
“We thank our governors for the interest in our people. We are at work and assure you of our commitment which is divine,” he said.
Umahi said that the South-East economic agenda was on course and the railway development, power, commerce and seaport development would feature prominently in the agenda.
“We have taken some steps by referring them to the economic team to do preliminary studies and make presentation in our next meeting.
“We also had an interface with the Bank of Agriculture which is very importance in the agricultural programme of the zone.
The Anchor Borrowers’ programme of the Central Bank of Nigeria is handled by them.
“Through the governors, we shall get our due share, though they are not happy that the funds to the South-East are not as it should be,” he said.
Umahi said that the economic team of the forum had been constituted and would be inaugurated at their next meeting.
“In furtherance to our commitments, each state has submitted two names to make up our economic team,” he said.
The governor gave the names of members of the economic team as Dr Chukwuma Agu, Dr Eme Okoro, Mr Ifeatu Onejeme, Mr Mark Okoye and Prof. Benard Odo.
The others are Chief Dennis Ekuma-Nkama, Prof. Barth Nnaji, Prof Osita Ogbu, Mr Obinna Mbata, and Chief Iyke Njoku.
He said that the committee would be inaugurated at their next meeting on June 5.