Imo State government has expressed its preparation to partner with Polymer Institute of Nigeria to shore up job creation processes in the state and ultimately, bring prosperity to its people.
The government said it would take advantage of the institute’s readiness to make waste management a source of economic resources for the state and through the teaching of polymer technology as a course of study at the Imo State Polytechnic, Umuagwo Ohaji/Egbema local government area.
Governor Hope Uzodimma who addressed a high powered delegation from the Polymer Institute of Nigeria who paid a courtesy call on him at the Government House Owerri Imo State, Monday, said his government was prepared to partner with them.
He commended them for pushing through the Chartered Polymer Institute of Nigeria bill which is awaiting the presidential assent and promised to work with them as long as it would benefit Imo people.
The governor directed the Office of the Deputy Governor to work with the group on how to maximise the opportunity at the Imo Poly by including Polymer Technology in the curriculum of the school.
The governor also directed the group to liaise with the Ministry of Environment in the state on issues and programmes concerning waste management.
In the address read by its National President, Prof. Paul Mamza, the institute said that they were in Imo State to see how they could establish a partnership with the state to tackle unemployment through self employment strategy.
They informed that the Institute had developed a far reaching and elaborate proposal on the utilisation of local raw materials for commercially viable products that could boost the economy of the state in the production of foams, paints, adhesives, pigments, fibre-reinforced polymers, among others.
The group told the governor and the audience that if the partnership pulled through it would be their responsibility to make Imo State one of the cleanest states in Nigeria by getting rid of waste and making them useful for commercial purposes.
They equally expressed their intention to help the Imo State government in developing a sound curriculum for Polymer Courses in the state polytechnic.
Highlight of the visit was the presentation of 200 pieces of locally produced and branded face mask by the Polymer Institute of Nigeria to the Governor by Engr. (Dr.) Innocent Akuvue, the Chairman Board of Directors Polymer Institute of Nigeria, as their humble contribution towards the fight against Covid-19 in Imo State.
Present at the visit were the Deputy Governor of Imo State, Prof. Placid Njoku, the Secretary to the State Government, Chief Cosmas Iwu, the Chief of Staff, Nnamdi Anyiehie and some members of the expanded exco.
