The former President of Sierra Leone, Alhaji ahmed Tejan Kabbah has stated that the African Peer Review Mechanism (APRM) was designed to provide a guide for participating African countries in bringing about best practices that would facilitate development.

Sierra Leone’s former chief executive, stated this at the Government House, Owerri when he paid a courtesy call on Governor Ikedi Ohakim of Imo state.

President Tejan Kabbah who was part of the team that visited Owerri for Country Self Assessment Review of NEPAD/APRM in the three cluster states of Imo, Abia and Ebonyi, revealed that apart from making sure that Africa as a continent was developing, the programme was also concerned about the way Africa is being treated by other developed countries.

He equally stated that the New Programme for Africa’s Development (NEPAD) gears towards assisting African countries do things on their own in terms of development, stressing that the system allows the people an opportunity of saying what they need as well as suggest programme for their development.

Responding, Govenor Ikedi Ohakim commended President Tijan Kabbah for being a resource person to the programme, pointing out that the former President was very much suited for the mission considering his wealth of experience.

Chief Ohakim described the introduction of NEPAD as timely stressing that it was high time Africans learnt to do things themselves.

He condemned the weak governance prevalent in Africa and expressed belief that with the Africa Peer Review Mechanism, (APRM), Africa will get things right in the next ten years.

The Imo number one citizen disclosed that his administration has carefully packaged its programmes to add meaning to the lives of the citizenry and equally create conducive atmosphere for investment.

Earlier, the leader of the team, Prof. Shederack Gutto noted that they were in the state to interact with Imo citizens and the sister states of Abia and Ebonyi on the self assessment report of NEPAD/APRM.

He disclosed that the team while in the state would look at the country review report of the zone with the view of adding credibility to the report.  He equally stated that the team would also look at areas where there may be challenges and assist the people in making contributions on how to tackle such challenges.

Prof. Gutto maintained that the APRM would go a long way in strengthening governance in Africa as well as help the participating countries make progress in their set targets.