By Peter Ejiofor
Abidjan, July 3, 2023 – Anambra indigenes in Cote d`Ivoire have called on the state government to create an enabling environment to attract residents in the Diaspora to invest at home.
The indigenes said the Anambra people in the Diaspora were eager to invest at home to create employment opportunities and boost the economy.
Nze Chiadi Chinazo, the Vice-President of Anambra State Union in Cote d`Ivoire, gave the advice in an interview in Abidjan on Sunday.
He said Anambra indigenes in that country want to invest at home and improve the state’s economy.
“Anambra indigenes abroad want to come home and invest. In particular, we in Cote d`Ivoire have interest in real estate, Information Communication Technology (ICT) and other areas that will create employment,
“We want the state government to improve on security, good roads and electricity.
“In fact, with electricity and security, our people abroad will return en masse to do massive investment at home.
“We are aware that Gov. Chukwuma Soludo has been working hard on security in the state, but we still appeal for more improvement,’` he said.
Chinazo, also the President of Aguata Local Government Meeting in Cote d`Ivoire, suggested that the state government should install Closed Circuit Television (CCTV) cameras in different parts of the state.
“I believe that the installation of CCTV cameras in strategic places in our state will assist in checking crime.
“This system is working in Cote d`Ivoire and I believe it will work in our state,“ he said.
The vice-president said that Anambra indigenes in Cote d`Ivoire had cordial relationship with other Nigerians resident in the country and even their hosts.
He said that in the bid to create togetherness, an indigene of the state, Eze Ikechukwu Emmanuel, was crowned as the first traditional ruler of Igbos in Cote d’Ivoire last year.
“The traditional ruler has been working tirelessly to improve the welfare of our people and other Nigerians in Cote d`Ivoire and we are happy with his rule,“ he said.
On the Diaspora voting in elections, Chinazo urged the federal government to implement it to enable Nigerians living abroad to be part of the democratic process at home.
“We commend the administration of President Muhammadu Buhari for creating the Diaspora Commission. It is important that Nigerians living abroad should be part of the voting process on Election Days.
“Last week, Malians living in Cote d`Ivoire voted in their country`s constitutional referendum. Nigerians living abroad should be allowed to vote and this will give us a sense of belonging, “ he said. (GBN)
