BRACED: Akwa Ibom Hosts Maiden Economic Summit To Transform South-South Region
Ruth Obot
Akwa Ibom State Government, through its Ministry of Economic Development, hosted a landmark meeting of the BRACED Commission’s Economic Council, held Thursday 20, June, at Watbridge Hotels and Suites. The summit brought together key economic stakeholders from the South-South States—Bayelsa, Rivers, Akwa Ibom, Cross River, Edo, and Delta(BRACED)—to devise a strategic plan aimed at bolstering regional growth and development.
In his presentation, Akwa Ibom Commissioner for Economic Development, Mr. Emem Bob, lauded the strides made by the State under Governor Umo Eno’s leadership. Mr.Bob highlighted how the Governor’s ARISE Agenda aligns with the State’s economic goals and emphasized the necessity of collaborative efforts among the BRACED States to sustain this momentum. He stressed that joint initiatives are crucial for fostering an economic renaissance across the region.
The Director General of the BRACED Commission, Ambassador Joe Keshi, in his opening remarks, underscored the collective ambition of the BRACED States to emulate successful regional economic models such as the European Union and California’s role in the United States. He outlined a vision for the South-South that hinges on policy harmonization, infrastructure development, and significant investments in education and agriculture.
“The future of our region lies in our ability to work together,” said Keshi. “By embracing a coordinated strategy, we can unlock our collective potential and drive transformative growth.”
Keshi called for the creation of a BRACED Fund to finance key regional projects and stressed the importance of a comprehensive development framework with clear short-term and long-term goals. He pointed to recent collaborative efforts by the South West Governors’ Forum as an example and encouraged similar cooperation to tackle challenges like underdevelopment and poverty in the South-South.
The meeting featured detailed discussions on several strategic areas, including:
Developing a collaborative regional plan to boost economic integration.
Creating an energy corridor and promoting renewable energy initiatives.
Cultivating a culture of agribusiness among the youth to harness the agricultural potential.
Enhancing technological applications and addressing corruption.
Implementing a robust pension fund system and a social housing scheme.
Transitioning from petroleum to alternative energy sources.
Participants from Akwa Ibom included key stakeholders such as Commissioner for Finance, Dr. Linus Nkan, Commissioner for Trade and Investment, Dr. John Etim, Permanent Secretaries, Ministry of Economic Development, Barr. Christopher Udoh, and Finance, Mr. Mark Umoh, among others. They were joined by members of the BRACED Economic Council, comprising Honourable Commissioners, Permanent Secretaries, and other significant stakeholders from the BRACED States.
As the meeting concluded, the consensus was clear: with sustained commitment and regional cooperation, the BRACED States can pave the way for a prosperous and integrated economic future.
Information Unit
MED
20/06/24
