The Imo State commissioner for Commerce and Industry, Barr. Kingsley Ononuju has appointed an interim management commitee for the State Cooperative Federation Limited with Elder Hippolite Uzoka as chairman.
Inaugurating the committee at the state secretariat, Owerri, the commissioner assured the body that the administration of Governor Hope Uzodimma would continue to embark on policies that would enable cooperative movement in the state to contribute meaningfully to the economic growth of the state.
He lamented that the cooperative had been moribund for 12 years, saying the appointment of the new leadership should be seen as a benchmark for the leadership to upscale its performance for the benefit of its entire members and properly address economic-related issues.
Ononuju said that it was the intention of the state government for cooperative to work in the state so as to properly situate cooperative system within the context of servicing economic interest.
He told them to bring the interim report of their activities in one month so as to prove how serious they would be.
“I want to use this opportunity to assure you of government’s support through policies and other means that will strengthen your association and your capacity to contribute more significantly to the growth of the state economy. Just call on me for any assistance”, he said.
While expressing confidence in the team, the commissioner advised the new ICF leadership to run a transparent system and ensure that cooperatives thrived despite the country’s economic challenges.
Commenting after his swearing in, Uzoka promised that the Imo Cooperative Federation Ltd. (ICF) under him would be an umbrella body to unite, represent and serve cooperative societies in Imo State.
He pledged to boost the productivity of Imo cooperative to the most outstanding position in South East and make it a reference point for economic empowerment programs in Imo State in particular and Nigeria in general.
