By Amaka Ezeonuogu

The Imo state government plans to force down the prices of food and other essential goods before this year's Christmas season.

The Principal Officer to the Governor on Imo Marketing and Queen of Nneato Obibi-Ochasi Kingdom, Her Royal Majesty, Queen Shirley Ngozi Okwudinma disclosed this in an informal media parley with newsmen at the Sam Mbakwe International Cargo Airport after her arrival from a business support drive in China.

She reminded pressmen that the Imo Marketing Company was created shortly after the civil war to provide the people with easy access to essential commodities at reduced costs. She said that the Rescue Mission government of His Excellency, Owelle Rochas Okorocha was committed now more than ever to bring back the old days in line with the administration's vision of making Imo better.

The frontline female entrepreneur and Managing Director of Shirley Supremo Finishings Ltd. revealed that she and her team had concluded plans to establish wholesale shop outlets in all the wards of the state to ensure that commodities got to the people faster and cheaper. She went further to explain that her plan involved working with the state's Government Liason Officers (GLOs) and the Community Government Councils to effectively reach the people. According to the business mogul, arrangements had been concluded or are in the final stages to partner with major commodity companies like Dangote, NNPC, Nestle, Equitable and many more to provide items like kerosene, detergent, rice, stockfish, dry fish, flour, sugar, groundnut oil, cement, and several others in the wholesale shops at officially recommended retail prices.

Queen Shirley reiterated that the plan was also going to play an active complementary role in creating jobs for women and youths in the state. She added that she and her team had concluded all arrangements for a smooth take off and are now awaiting His Excellency's gracious approval.