UNIEC: ADVOCATING EQUITABLE DEVELOPMENT, STRATEGIC INFRASTRUCTURE AND ECONOMIC JUSTICE FOR THE SOUTH-EAST. Think-Home • Invest-Home • Build-Home | Aku-Ruru-Ulo — Let Wealth Return Home.

UNITED IGBO ELDERS COUNCIL (UNIEC) WORLDWIDE

NEWS STATEMENT

UNIEC CALLS FOR EQUITABLE RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT, STRATEGIC INFRASTRUCTURE AND ECONOMIC JUSTICE FOR THE SOUTH-EAST

Enugu/Abuja, Nigeria — The United Igbo Elders Council (UNIEC) Worldwide has taken note of recent public concerns regarding gas infrastructure, regional connectivity, seaport development, railways, security infrastructure and the broader pattern of economic development affecting the South-East.

UNIEC acknowledges the legitimate concerns underlying these discussions. Natural resources should not merely be extracted from a region without corresponding infrastructure, industrial opportunities, employment, investment and sustainable economic value being created within or substantially benefiting the communities and regions from which such resources originate.

DEVELOPMENT MUST BE EQUITABLE

UNIEC strongly advocates a national infrastructure policy founded on equity, economic efficiency and balanced development.

The construction of pipelines, railways, ports, highways, industrial facilities and other strategic infrastructure should be assessed on the basis of transparent national planning, economic necessity, geographical balance and measurable public benefit.

The South-East possesses substantial human capital, entrepreneurial capacity, agricultural resources, industrial potential and energy assets. These advantages require modern infrastructure capable of converting regional resources into productive enterprises, employment, exports and sustainable wealth.

OUR RESOURCES MUST CREATE VALUE

UNIEC supports the constitutional principle that resource-producing communities and regions should derive meaningful developmental benefits from the resources within their areas, consistent with Nigeria's laws and national economic framework.

Accordingly, UNIEC calls for greater investment in gas-to-power, gas-to-industry, regional gas distribution, electricity generation, manufacturing, rail transportation, highways, logistics, agricultural processing and port development across the South-East.

The question before Nigeria should not be whether one region deserves development at the expense of another. The objective should be to ensure that every region has the infrastructure necessary to become productive, competitive and economically connected.

THE SOUTH-EAST NEEDS A CONNECTED ECONOMIC SYSTEM

UNIEC therefore advocates an integrated South-East development programme encompassing:

• modern and interconnected gas infrastructure;
• reliable electricity and industrial energy supply;
• rehabilitation and development of Eastern seaports;
• modern rail and multimodal freight connectivity;
• strategic highways and regional logistics networks;
• industrial parks and export-processing facilities;
• agricultural and manufacturing value chains;
• technology and innovation infrastructure;
• youth employment and human-capital development; and
• stronger diaspora investment and strategic partnerships.

These priorities are consistent with the philosophy of Think-Home • Invest-Home • Build-Home and the principle of Aku-Ruru-Ulo — “Let Wealth Return Home.”

ADVOCACY MUST BE BASED ON EVIDENCE

UNIEC also calls upon public commentators, organisations and stakeholders to verify claims concerning specific pipeline routes, project distances, government approvals, seaport proposals and infrastructure policies before presenting them as established facts.

Our elders teach:

«“The person who takes his case before the elders must carry evidence in his hands, not anger on his lips.”»

Evidence strengthens advocacy. Unverified allegations can weaken legitimate demands and distract from the substantive development issues requiring attention.

UNIEC therefore encourages stakeholders to obtain and publish official project documents, feasibility studies, budgets, implementation schedules, environmental assessments and measurable development commitments.

LET DEVELOPMENT BRING DEVELOPMENT

UNIEC does not oppose the development of Lagos, Ogun, Kaduna, Kano or any other part of Nigeria. Rather, we affirm that development in one region should not become a justification for inadequate investment in another.

Nigeria is sufficiently endowed and sufficiently large for all regions to prosper.

Where natural resources are extracted, infrastructure should follow.

Where gas is produced, industries and power generation should be developed.

Where goods are produced, efficient transport and ports should connect them to national and international markets.

Where young people possess skills and enterprise, infrastructure should provide the environment for them to build sustainable livelihoods.

ELDERLY COUNSEL TO NDIGBO

Our elders remind us:

«“A people who know where they are going will not spend all their time arguing about where others are going.”»

Ndigbo must therefore combine vigilance with strategy, advocacy with evidence, and legitimate demands with constructive engagement.

Let us document infrastructure gaps.

Let us develop credible projects.

Let us engage governments at every constitutional level.

Let us mobilise private capital and diaspora investment.

Let us insist upon equitable development through lawful, democratic and constitutional channels.

And let us ensure that the South-East does not merely consume development planned elsewhere, but becomes a major centre of production, manufacturing, innovation, trade and investment.

THE UNIEC POSITION

The United Igbo Elders Council (UNIEC) Worldwide strongly advocates a development framework in which resources generate value, infrastructure unlocks productivity, investment creates enterprises, enterprises create employment, and economic growth improves the lives of ordinary citizens.

This is not a demand for development against another Nigerian region.

It is a demand for fairness, inclusion, infrastructure, opportunity and responsible national planning.

The future of Alaigbo must be built through strategic investment, productive enterprise, infrastructure development and the mobilisation of Ndi Igbo at home and in the global diaspora.

Think-Home. Invest-Home. Build-Home.

Aku-Ruru-Ulo — “Let Wealth Return Home.”

UNITED IGBO ELDERS COUNCIL (UNIEC) WORLDWIDE

Custodians of Heritage • Voices of Conscience • Advocates of Justice and Unity