IMO STATE INVESTMENT PROMOTION AGENCY

On February 18th, 2021, Imo State Investment promotion Agency in collaboration with WalterSmith and United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO) Convened an International Workshop to sensitise IMO State stakeholders about a planned project Development in Ohaji Egbema at the Rockview Hotel, Owerri Imo State

The welcoming remark was delivered by Dr. Jude Nzeako of ISIPA who acted as the host and moderator. The workshop was very interactive. In attendance were selected members of top government appointees and heads of Agencies.

Dr. Jude Nzeako welcomed honored guests and participants on behalf of the State Government at the opening session of the workshop and thanked UNIDO and Waltersmith for their interest in IMO State for their investment.

He further remarked that “Distinguished Senator Hope Uzodimma Governor of Imo State has since assumption of Office encouraged the setting up of a One Stop Service Center (OSSC) in Imo State after realizing that nothing of such has been done in the last ten years of the establishment of Imo State Investment Promotion Agency”.

This the Director General said, is done with the desire to improve the ease of doing business in IMO State while affirming that His Excellency Governor Hope Uzodimma has been giving tremendous support to the Agency to make progress in the establishment of a one Stop Shop Service Center which has representatives from the Ministries and parastatals that have direct responsibility of issuing permits and licenses.

Distinguished speakers at the session includes Hon. Simon Egbebulem, Hon. Commissioner, Ministry of Commerce and Industry, Owerri; Dr. IK.V. Njoku, Hon. Commissioner Ministry of Environment, Owerri, Mr. Abdulrazaq Isa, Chairman WalterSmith Petroman Oil Limited, Mr. Jean Bakole’, Director and UNIDO Representative.

Mr. Ayokunle Okusaya, Chief Investment Officer, Mr Stefan Kratzsch the industrial development officer of UNIDO joined the workshop virtually. In his speech, he expressed joy with the information from DG ISIPA that Imo State is taking steps to improve ease of doing business.

Professor Arthur Essagrah the UNIDO local project coordinator co-managed the second session with Dr Jude Nzeako.

WalterSmith Petroman Oil Limited gave an Overview of the WalterSmith and Innovation Park Project which will stimulate and attract industries to co-locate, locate and relocate to the proposed park when developed.

The Director General has a strong conviction that the interaction in the workshop will provide helpful views towards the realization of the proposed Industrial and Innovation Park which will benefit the State with an Industrial Park and Export processing Zone with guaranteed uninterrupted power supply, quality Infrastructure and round the clock security.

In conclusion from the interactive session; all the stakeholders from IMO state expressed hope and joy for the project. Many industrialistS in attendance such as Engineer Nwagwu Ifeanyi expressed his readiness to relocate one of his industries to the industrial park. He can’t wait he said.