Imo safe, ready to contain future security threats, says Uzodimma
(Nigeria) Governor Hope Uzodimma in Imo State, weekend, said the state has returned to the path of safety and peace after several weeks
of dislocations occasioned by security breaches.
Governor Uzodimma however said the situation, today, shows
that the State and its citizens are now ready to look beyond the unfortunate
days of insecurity when peace alluded them and strive to recover what they
lost.
Speaking during the 4th Stakeholders meeting held at the Eze Imo Palace in Owerri on
Saturday, Governor Uzodimma also noted that the State is prepared to contain
future security threats that may be envisaged.
In a speech, he delivered at the occasion which attracted
intermittent applause from stakeholders drawn from political, business,
religious and traditional leaders across political lines, the Governor thanked
Imo people for standing by his government during the trying times.
Governor Uzodimma specifically appreciated the leadership of
the church in Imo State for their ceaseless prayers and other leaders,
particularly those who called and proferred suggestions on the way forward on
insecurity in Imo.
It was also an opportunity for the Governor to allow Imo
people evaluate and possibly validate the policies and programmes of his
administration in accordance with his promise to periodically brief them since
he assumed office.
The Governor used the occasion to highlight the challenges
his administration faced during the one year and half he assumed office and
said the challenges include the long lockdown due to the Covid-19 pandemic and
the #EndSARS crisis and of late, and very disturbing, the security challenges.
The Governor who acknowledged that the State has adopted
some measures to arrest the untended consequences promised that with time his
Government "will roll out programmes to address the effect of the damages
inflicted on the good people of Imo State."
The Governor lauded President Mohammadu Buhari for taking
personal interest in the security challenges in Imo State, a situation he said
helped to promptly arrest the threat to peace.
“The good news is that Imo State is now safe and secure and
willing and able to contend future threat, all to the glory of God."
Governor Uzodimma used the opportunity to extend the
profound gratitude of the government and people of Imo State to all the
security agencies for their invaluable contributions towards the return of
peace which Imo people enjoy today.
The Governor said: "We recall with joy how Imo people
poured out their hearts to God in one accord and God answered them," and
thanked the Imo State Chapter of Christian Association of Nigeria, CAN, "for the laudable prayer session it
organized for peace in the State."
The Governor in the same vein acknowledged the
"contributions and support of the Bishops, the entire Clergy, Traditional
Rulers, Community Leaders, people in the Professions and Businesses, the
Elders, the Women groups, Youths and the entire citizens of the State for their
support in returning Imo to the path of peace."
Governor Uzodimma
made reference to his achievements in the State Civil Service, informing
that the sector was down and out with morales of workers at its ebb, noting
that today government had risen to the occasion and has changed the narratives.
His words: "The leaking roofs of the State Secretariat
have been fixed, the rusty filthy environment has been cleaned up, training and
re-training programmes were instituted and just recently, eleven Permanent
Secretaries were appointed."
On roads infrastructure, the Governor informed "that
Imo roads revolution has changed the ugly past state of roads in Imo State.
This has resulted in the government of Shared Prosperity constructing or
rehabilitating no less than 42 roads across the State in the past one
year."
He drew the attention of Stakeholders to the ongoing renovation
work of the various roundabouts in the Municipal, specifically the ones at Fire Service and
Warehouse junctions in Owerri have given the State a new look.
On Education, the Governor highlighted the landmark
achievements to include the establishment of the new University of Agriculture and
Environmental Sciences at Umuagwo in Ohaji/Egbema LGA, the recovery of former
Eastern Palm University (now K.O Mbadiwe University), the establishment of a new Federal
Technical College in Umuaka Orlu, ongoing construction work of "305 modern
classroom blocks in the 305 electoral wards in Imo State aimed at providing
modern Primary Schools with the state of art equipment for our children."
The Governor highlighted his achievements in the
rehabilitation of moribund Adapalm in Ohaji LGA which now produces over 100,000
metric tons of oil per day.
The Governor did not forget the tremendous achievements of
the committee on Covid-19 Taskforce that stoutly rose to the challenge and
ensured that Imo State recorded the least casualty of the pandemic.
"Within the period the state was able to attract
through private sectors collaboration and support the construction of a 250 bed
Specialist Hospital at the Imo State University Teaching Hospital, as well as
the commissioning of an Emergency Operation Centre (EOC) at the General
Hospital Umuguma Owerri West."
To stem the tide of youth unemployment the Governor informed
that the State has embarked on training of Imo youths in different skills and
equipping them with start-up capital to become entrepreneurs. He said between
2020 and now the government has spent billions of Naira in collaboration with
Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN, on youth empowerment.
“I make a solemn
commitment to ensure that this government will work for all irrespective of
Local government, political party affiliation, religion or situation of
births”.
He promised a level playing ground for everybody where no
one will be discriminated against.
Governor Uzodimma challenged the opposition that his
government is not allergic to constructive criticisms and will always welcome
great ideas that add impetus to the commitment of building Imo State.
He said doing do so will help to "collectively make Imo
State a home of peace as well as grow the economy from that driven by Federal
allocation to one run on Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) of the State."
Assuaging the fear of those who feel relegated, he promised
to revive the Development Centres which will operate in line with the old names
they were bearing.
"The Development Centres will work together with the
autonomous communities to identify peculiar developmental needs of each
autonomous community and in liaison with the people and the local government
administration."
The Governor reiterated: “I did not become Governor to
become richer than the State after my tenure but to serve you in truth and with
the fear of God.
“I will leave no stone unturned in my efforts to recover Imo
people's stolen wealth. I assure you that God is with us in this
direction."
In their commendation messages, Senator Frank Ibezim, Chief
Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu, Chief Ikedi Ohakim, Amb. George Obiozor (President Ohanaeze
Ndigbo, Worldwide), Dr TOE Ekechi, Chief
Greg Mbadiwe, Chike Okafor, Princess Miriam Onuoha (Member representing Okigwe
North in Federal House of Representatives), Prince Alex Mbata, and the Chairman
Imo State Traditional Institution and Community Policing, Eze Okeke, and many
others extolled the governor’s efforts
in the areas of security, health, road and generally, his developmental
strides.
They pledged their unflinching support to his administration
and their willingness to help to ensure continued peace and progress of Imo
State.
The icing on the cake was when members of the Imo State
House of Assembly led by the Speaker, Paul Emeziem acknowledged the inclusive
administration of the Governor and his respect for other arms of government and
promised to continue to work in synergy with him.
They proceeded to unanimously pass a vote of confidence on
his leadership.
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