By Kelechi Obassi
The Raw Materials Research and Development Council (RMRDC) has planned a joint advocacy with the South-East Business Investment Summit (SEBIS) aimed at strengthening the Organised Private Sector (OPS) in the South-Eastern part of Nigeria.
This was disclosed when the team from SEBIS, led by Dr Ifedi Okenna, visited the Council recently to discuss with the Director General, Prof. Nnanyelugo Ike-Muonso, on the critical role the Organized Private Sectors (OPS) play in the South East in the development of the economy of Nigeria and the need for RMRDC to partner with them to achieve its mandate.
Dr. Ifedi noted that such Collaboration will stimulate investment in the South East because there exists investment yearning in the region, as it has an already established business hub. He observed that the existing business advantage will bring a boom to the economy if further harnessed.
He mentioned some challenges faced by the industrialists in the region, like; lack of Government funding and empowerment, unfavourable government policy, lack of infrastructure, etc.
Responding, the Director General /CEO RMRDC, Prof. Nnanyelugo Ike-Muonso, expressed delight over the contribution of the OPS in the economic development of the South Eastern region and pledged to support the association for maximum impact. He informed that the Council is reviving investment forum for value addition to stimulate investment in the states. He mentioned that the Investment forum in the area of Coal value chain in Enugu state, development of the rubber value chain in Imo, etc, will be commencing soon.
The RMRDC management team unanimously agreed that there is a need to identify business programmes that will stimulate and attract government interest to the Southeast. Adding that the state is richly endowed with natural resources, which, when fully utilized, can turn around the economy.
RMRDC management team present at the meeting are: Director Corporate Services Directorate, Mr Chuks Ngaha; Director Investment and Consultancy Services Department, Mr Yaro Mohammed; Council Director Technology Development Department, Mr Ahmed Abdullazeez and others.