Governor Willie Obiano of Anambra State has blazed the trail for states seeking for a lasting solution to the financial crunch that has enveloped most states of the federation due to plummeting oil prices and the general downturn in the Nigerian economy.
The governor who left the banking industry on a high to take over the reign of leadership in his home state showed his private sector background when he dragged renowned economist and financial wizard,Mr. Bismark Rewane, CEO of Financial Derivatives Company of Nigeria and Mrs Eileen Shaiyen, CEO/Founder of H. Pierson Nigeria, a foremost consulting firm to Awka the state capital to lead discussions on how best to build on the existing structures in the state to ensure a more robust and economically prosperous Anambra State.
The two-day Retreat that holds under the theme –Doing More with Less, is expected to provide a comprehensive overview of the global and Nigerian economy and locate Anambra State within the matrix of these larger economies with a view to envisioning a brighter future for the state in the midst of thefrightening economic climate in the country at the moment.
It is noteworthy that Anambra has remained an exemplary state, paying salaries as and when due and meeting all its financial obligations at a time most states of the federation are almost bankrupt and begging for a bailout from the federal government.
The Retreat is a bold move by Governor Obiano to bring the members of his cabinet, the members of the state legislative assembly, Heads of parastatals and Agencies as well as Chairmen of local government up to speed with the dynamics of the global and domestic economy and how ripples from those two can disrupt the best laid out economic blueprint. It would also prepare them for a better and prudent use of scarce resources in a season of lack and financial draught.
Speaking at the opening of the Retreat, GovernorObiano noted that Anambra is the hub of economic activities in the South East and the entire West African sub-region and consequently, any financial tremor in the neighbouring states would affect commercial activities in the state.
Giving an overview of the retreat, Governor Obianodescribed it as very intense, saying “I believe that the take away from the retreat will help us drive our IGR in trying to do more with less. The theme of the retreat is doing more with less. We are trying to change the mind-set of the civil servants on the direction we should go. I am very happy with the speakers we invited because they are very well known experts whose genius had contributed to the growth in the nation’s economy.”
Governor Obiano further declared his intention to create a synergy between some ministries in his state with relevant federal ministries in a manner that would enhance the overall output of governance inAnambra State.
He reiterated the commitment of his administration to a secure and friendly Anambra State that would pave way for the realization of the Vision and Mission Statements of the state.
In his own presentation Mr. Bismark Rewane, the CEO of Financial Derivaties Company Limitedemphasized the need for a closer collaboration between the public and private sector to ensure the emergence of more robust economy in AnambraState.
The financial maverick argued that under the present economic climate, the states in Nigeria must shrug off the days of financial recklessness and brace us for the brass task of purposeful leadership by creating alternative revenue sources and sealing all leakages in their financial system.
He expressed the belief that Anambra State can leverage on its enormous potentials as the largest retail market in West Africa as well as its abundant fertile land and skilled labour force to compete in the emerging markets especially with the recent interest the state had provoked in the investment community.
According to him, there is an urgent need for a deeper and more viable market in the state that will stimulate the interest of investors further pointing outthat state governments should always monitorunemployment and inflation as they were key misery index capable of undermining the best laid developmental efforts.
He applauded Governor Obiano for heroically rescuing Anambra from the clutches of criminals who had laid the state waste for years but warned that State must not lose its vigilance in the area of security as it was vital to its very survival.
Mr. Rewane also observed that the country is currently plagued by many challenges including insecurity, pipeline rehabilitation, subsidy removal, gaps in fiscal planning, huge domestic and foreign debts profiles, depleting external reserves and high cost of governance.
