The proper alignment of Abia State’s Agroforestry as a pivotal source of wealth creation emerged as a milestone resolution during the 2nd Abia Sustainability RoundTable Series. Hosted by the Alikwomobu Centre for Sustainability & Research in collaboration with the Abia League of Professional Initiative and concerned Abia citizens, the virtual event took place via the Zoom platform on Thursday, July 22nd, 2021. The theme of the roundtable was “Deepening the Framework and Sustainability of ABSLTDP – From Planning to Implementation.”

Chief Sonny Iroche, Convener/National Coordinator of Abia League of Professional Initiatives, highlighted leadership as a key factor in the growing social and economic challenges facing Abia State. He noted that while successive administrations have produced development blueprints since the era of the Eastern Regional Government of Dr. Michael Okpara, the challenge lies in the effective implementation of these plans. The poor implementation, according to him, has resulted in severe consequences such as insecurity and underdevelopment.

Enyindiya Uwa Ojike, Co-founder/CEO of One Voice Adastrapera Consulting Group, observed that the current Abia State 30-year Long Term Development Plan holds promise for the state’s future. However, she raised concerns about certain assumptions, particularly the gap between recurrent and capital expenditure. Warning against the continued emphasis on recurrent expenditures without proper audit of the state workforce, she stressed that it poses a significant challenge to achieving sustainable development.

Engr. Uchechukwu Onwuchekwa, Project Manager at Chartwell Construction Nig. Ltd, urged the Abia State government to prioritize education as a critical necessity for the state’s social and economic development.

The Abia Sustainability RoundTable Series (ASRS) is an initiative by concerned Abia professionals and citizens committed to enhancing excellence in governance culture in Abia State. The objective is to establish a mechanism for deliberate, planned, and sustainable development, positioning Abia State competitively on the global development map and among progressive and sustainable states in Nigeria.