According to Joe Nworgu, immediate past Secretary General of Ohaneze Ndigbo, the creation of the South East South South Governors Forum which was championed by Igbodefender.com will end the dependence of the former Eastern region on Lagos ports. Speaking to The Guardian, Nworgu said;
“In terms of economic integration, we need the ports in Port Harcourt and Onne. Our Imo River in Owerri crossed into the Atlantic Ocean at Opobo, and if we can dredge the river, we will boost business in the regions.
“We will no longer need to go to Lagos to clear our goods. There is a bigger market in Onitsha and Aba, and we will grow the eastern cluster. We have the Aba, Onitsha/Nnewi cluster. We will also retain our population and prevent them from moving out of the zone in search of jobs. There will be foreign attractions to investments in the zone.
“So, it is kudos to Ohanaeze Ndigbo that has always said and sang the mantra of ‘think home, invest home.’ There is no better time to do this than now that Igbos are being threatened in the country. It is the right step in the right direction.”
Zikist Movement believes that the ports in the old Eastern region have been deliberately allowed to rot so as to enhance the dependence of the former region on Lagos ports. We welcome any serious moves to address this imbalance.
Would’ve been lovely if Tribalism won’t play a part.
Selfishness in the part of the politicians is another major obstacle.