British govt partner with Ohaneze to develop South-East

The British government said it would work with Ohaneze Ndigbo Worldwide to promote the South-East region in sectors including business, investment, agriculture, and others.

Dr. Richard Montgomery, the British High Commissioner to Nigeria, made the announcement on Tuesday during a visit to the leaders of Ohaneze Ndigbo Worldwide at the organization’s headquarters in Enugu.

Montgomery, who stated that the United Kingdom has had a long-standing development collaboration with Enugu State in the areas of health, education, and the economy, vowed to strengthen the relationship in order to help grow the region.

“I understand the challenges this region faces and the opportunities that we can create,” he added, “and I share sentiment to sustain the long relationship between this region and the United Kingdom.”

The high commissioner stated that the UK will help develop the zone in the fields of education, agriculture, industrial development, electricity, and ports, as proposed by Ohaneze President-General Chief Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu.

Montgomery said, “We will look into the issues and see what we can do and will engage in various development programmes for the region.

“The Business Council which the President General, Chief Iwuanyanwu said he will establish as well as agriculture services and industries are areas of interest to us.

“And we are working on how to boost trade between Nigeria and UK, increase incentives for investment and opportunities between the two countries”.

Montgomery, who praised the Southeast region’s energy and entrepreneurial drive, promised to work with it to increase economic prosperity for its people.

Earlier, while welcoming the British High Commissioner to Igboland, Chief Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu, President General of Ohaneze, acknowledged that the difficulties of his post were immense but expressed confidence and assurance that he would overcome them.

He identified education, agriculture, industrial growth, infrastructure, roads, trains, seaports, and power as significant sectors he sought to handle quickly in order to enhance the South-East’s economy.