From Juliana Taiwo-Obalonye, Abuja
Professionals, businessmen and entrepreneurs under the aegis of the Forum of Imo Professionals (FIP) have applauded Governor Hope Uzodimma’s initiatives to ensure uninterrupted electricity supply across the state.
In a statement by its coordinator, Greg Mbadiwe, the group noted that this is coming on the heels of the signing of the Imo State Electricity Law by Uzodimma, what they described as a bold stride by the governor to enable the State to manage and activate electricity transmission and distribution infrastructure in the State particularly the Amaraku power project as well as Egbema Power Plant which had been abandoned for over 18 years.
The Forum of Imo Professionals (FIP), a coalition of engineers, lawyers, medical personnel, entrepreneurs, and other industry leaders, praised Uzodimma for securing President Bola Tinubu’s approval to transfer the Egbema Power Plant project to the state government.
“Governor Uzodimma has set the ball rolling for massive infrastructural development, rapid industrialization, revamping of small and medium entrepreneurship, spur youth creativity, boost employment, achieve self-sufficiency in all sectors while turning Imo into a major investment hub for the South East and the nation at large,” said FIP coordinator Mbadiwe.
The professionals commended the governor for engaging Elsewedy Power Generation, a world-class power company from Egypt, to handle electricity generation, transmission, and distribution in the state. They expressed confidence that with the framework already established, Imo will have an adequate electricity supply across all parts of the state within the next eight months.
The FIP members, which represent a diverse range of industries, emphasised the critical importance of reliable electricity supply to modern development, industrialisation, and small-medium enterprise growth.
“Many businesses have been forced to close down with attendant swell in job loss and consequential social dislocation and economic distress to millions of families. Our people have suffered years of serious retrogression in the productive sectors because of poor power supply,” the statement read.
The professionals expressed confidence that Uzodimma’s electricity initiative will spur a resurgence in industrialisation, small-medium enterprises, youth creativity, and employment in Imo State, transforming it into a major investment hub for the South East region and the nation.