By Godfrey Ofurum
Imo State Modern Poultry Farm, Avutu, in Obowo Local Government Area of the state, when revived, will not only create jobs, but also be part of the state’s export story, Kenneth Amaeshi, a professor and special economic adviser to Imo State Government, says.
The multi-billion naira farm, touted to be the biggest in West Africa, was established by the late Sam Mbakwe, the former and first civilian governor of old Imo State, but was abandoned to waste by successive administrations in the state.
Amaeshi, told Business a.m. exclusively in Owerri, the Imo State capital, that the farm when revived would also service local demands of poultry products, in the state and beyond.
According to Amaeshi, there is a big market in Africa for poultry products and that is why the state government is working hard to revive the farm.
To attract foreign direct investment inflows to ensure liquidity of funds to boost the state’s economy, he affirmed that the present administration in the state created the Imo State Investment Promotion Agency, headed by Jude Nzeako, with the responsibility of attracting foreign inflows into the state.
He also explained that the agency was very much involved in the drafting of the state’s industrial policy.
He stated also that the agency has within it an “Investment Committee” that meets monthly to look at ideas.
“Sometimes people come to you with investment ideas and opportunities; sometimes, you also need to go outside to sell the state. So, it’s a two-way thing.
“The committee looks at these proposals to know where they’re coming from, what they are offering, and whether what they want to bring aligns with the state’s Industrial Policy.
“We are strategically pursuing these opportunities. However, some people will come to you with some project proposals, but when you investigate them, you’ll find out that they’ve not thought them through, or they do not have the resources to support their proposals.
“Also reaching out to people in the diaspora is another way to convince people to invest in the state.
“But I agree with you on the need to be more proactive in doing that, however, it still goes back to the question: “what sort of investors do we need, and what sort of investors will meet us where we are?
“In my opinion, we need investors that will help us solve some of our big societal problems.
“If you say you want everything to be rosy before you come in, what problem(s) are you coming to solve? So, be part of the change you desire. That’s the way I’ll think about investors and where we are,” Amaeshi stated.
