Imo State governor, Hope Uzodimma, has challenged the Board and Management of the Anambra-Imo River Basin Development Authority to work hard to close the gaps in the water, agriculture, power, food security and livestock sectors in the South East in particular and Nigeria at large in the course of discharging their duties.
The governor made this known when he received the agency’s new team led by the chairman, Senator Emmanuel Anosike, on a courtesy call at Government House, Owerri.
Governor Uzodimma urged the Board and Management to galvanise the Agency’s programmes to address critical areas within their mandate.
The governor, who congratulated members of the team on their appointments, advised them to avoid project duplication, but cooperate with state government-owned agencies to harmonise their projects to get the SMEs, adding that they should call on the state government when they need assistance.
He expressed confidence in the integrity of the new Board, given the background of the chairman, Sen. Anosike, and the managing director of the Agency, Hon. Emeka Nduka who, he said, “Are very conversant with the original objectives for setting up that platform and the expectations of the people, and how the organisation will, in collaboration with other agencies, facilitate development in all sectors of the economy.”
Governor Uzodimma advised them to cooperate with state governments to address the needs of the people.
“As you do that, not only Imo State or the South East but Nigeria will be better for all of us.
If you desire more land, don’t hesitate to approach the government. We need to plant what we eat and eat what we plant,” the governor noted.
In his remarks, Senator Anosike said their visit was “to pay a courtesy call on the host governor, Senator Uzodimma, after the inauguration of the Board in May 2025.”
He expressed appreciation to President Bola Tinubu for finding them worthy of the appointment and to Governor Uzodimma for his magnanimity, recommendation and facilitating their appointments in November last year.
He assured that the new Board will deliver on its mandate and provide a road map for the organisation.
Present at the event were the Managing Director/CEO of Anambra-Imo River Basin Development Authority, and the Executive members of the Board, the Secretary to Imo State Government, Chief Cosmas Iwu, the Chief of Staff to the Governor, Barr. Nnamdi Anyaehie, Attorney General/Commissioner for Justice, Barr Paul Obinatu, members of the expanded State Executive Council, the principal secretary to the governor, Dr (Mrs) Irene Chima, the state’s head of service, Mrs Chikodi Emenalom, HRH Eze Oliver Ohanwe, among others.
