THE Infrastructure Concession and Regulatory Commission (ICRC) has advised the private and public sectors to collaborate in ensuring the rapid infrastructure development of the South-East geo-political zone.

The acting Director-General of ICRC, Mr Chidi Izuwah, gave the advice while making a presentation on “Accelerated Infrastructure Delivery for the South-East.’’

He made the presentation at the ongoing 3rd South-East Nigeria Economic Summit (SEES) on Wednesday in Enugu.

The summit, which is being sponsored by South-East Region Economic Development Corporation (SEREDEC), is themed, “South East Nigeria; The Investment Destination.’’

Izuwah noted that the region currently had infrastructure emergency, which needed concerted efforts by all to tackle.

He said the infrastructure needs of the region included; roads, rail, aviation, power, inland waterways, health facilities, industrial clusters, educational facilities etc.

The ICRC boss said the South-East needed an urgent action on infrastructure development in order to grow businesses and open opportunities to prevent social disorders and unemployment associated problems.

According to him, poverty anywhere is a threat to security everywhere.

“Public and private sector players in the South-East need to work out a reliable win-win road map to address our huge infrastructure deficit.

“We need to commence urgent capacity building at all levels to ensure a pool of competent personnel in the public and private sectors that can fully develop and implement our development and infrastructure master plan.

“We must urgently create the institutional framework at the macro regional levels to kick start and drive our development agenda and infrastructure master plan development and implementation,’’ he said.

The News Agency of Nigeria reports that the ongoing two-day summit is being attended by captains of industries, entrepreneurs, government functionaries, market leaders and leaders of thought.

The South-East is made-up of five states, which include Enugu State, Abia, Anambra, Ebonyi and Imo

-NAN

BE

– Dec. 12, 2018 @ 17:20 GMT |