Governor Okezie Ikpeazu has charged the Abia State Post COVID-19 Economic Advisory Council to develop a blueprint to manage the economy of the State beyond the Covid-19 pandemic.
Speaking while inaugurating the Council in an online meeting the Governor told the members to take into consideration the shocks generated by the pandemic and its attendant negative effects on the global economy and the impact on the Abia economy.
Ikpeazu reminded them that Abia is blessed with abundant human and natural resources which can be harnessed to support our economic development.
According to the Governor, “With the uncertain prospect of the crude oil based Nigerian economy and its direct consequence on the economy of states, every state must look inwards and find sustainable means of survival. The immediate challenge of this Council is to assist our administration fashion out means of managing our economy post Covid-19.”
While insisting that they were carefully selected on the basis of their ‘solid personal records,’ he assured them that their recommendations will be fully implemented by government pointing out that all organs of Government will be at their disposal in the course of their assignment.
Responding, the Chairman of the Council, Professor Anya O. Anya thanked the Governor for assembling a group of experienced and patriotic economic experts from the State for this assignment and assured him that they will approach the duty with the highest level of patriotism and a deep sense of urgency.
Professor Anya assured the Governor that other members of the Council will join them in their subsequent meetings.
Other members of the Council who took part in the meeting included a former Chief Executive of the Defunct Diamond Bank Plc, Dr. Emeka Onwuka, Business man and Chairman of Mainland Oil and Gas, Dr. Chris Odinaka Igwe, Traditional Ruler and Professor of Finance at the University of Lagos, Eze Professor S I Owuala, Economic Management Consultant, Sam Onukwue and Executive Secretary of the Abia State Planning Commission, Dr. Mrs Nnenna Chikezie.