South East region for over the years have been neglected by previous governments, this has diminished the growth rate which were achieved in the region before the civil war.
For fast growth and development to be restored to the region, we the Igbos must become totally independent on the FG; it may seem as a daunting task at first, but with proper planning and even more perfect execution, the SE will revert back to the “giant” that it once was.
Below are some of my thoughts on how the region can become powerful and highly self-sufficient.

DEVELOPMENT OF IBAKA AND CALABAR PORTS
Even though these ports aren’t located in the SE, they are closest to the region (the only solution to being landlocked). More investments should be put into these ports e.g. they could be dredged properly to make the water deeper and allow for large vessels to berth.
By liaising with private and foreign investors, these dream and plan can be achieved.

SETUP MORE INTERNATIONAL AIRPORTS
To be self-sufficient, the region needs at least 3 international airports.
By building two new ones and extending the runway of the Enugu Airport, this can be achieved.

GAS RESERVES SHOULD BE TAPPED INTO
There is a commercial quantity of natural reserve in Ugwuoba community located in Enugu State which has been left unattended to for years. For the region to be self-sufficient on power and energy generation these reserves need to be tapped into and more investments in exploration of crude oil and natural gas should also be aggressively embarked on.

ENERGY/POWER GENERATION
Gas power plants should be set up across the region and powered by the gas reserves. Also, more investments into coal plants should be launched since they are huge deposits of coal in Enugu.

EBONYI (AGRICULTURE)
Agriculture is a very important sector; they are a lot of undeveloped land in the SE, some of these lands need to be cultivated on with cash crops such as palm, maize, cashew, yam etc
Ebonyi state has the best fertile lands in the region and this area should be invested more in the state so that it will become the “food basket” of the region.

ABIA (INDUSTRY)
Aba has been termed the industrial capital of the SE region because of the considerable number of industries found there; it also has the highest number of skilled technologists, technicians and personnels.
Abia state should be invested in and planned in such a way that it will be the industrial hub of the region.

ENUGU (TOURISM)
Enugu State has several tourist attractions; its nice topography also makes it a thing of beauty.
Investments on tourism, housing and hospitality should be of priority to make it set aside as the tourist attraction of the SE.

ANAMBRA (COMMERCIAL HUB)
Anambra is known for its strong commercial activities.
It should be planned in a way that it will be the commercial hub of the SE by setting up large amount of malls, shopping complex and trade centres.

IMO (EDUCATIONAL ATTRACTION)
Imo should be planned as the educational backbone for the region.
The best universities, technical schools and colleges should be situated here.
If all these are achieved, there will be an all-round development in the region with each state having a strong contribution to the general well-being of the SE region.