.Seeks continued partnership with Japanese govt
By Valentine Amanze
Imo State Governor, Chief Emeka Ihedioha, CON, has reinstated the monthly clean-up exercise in the state.
Ihedioha also reintroduced the monthly Governor’s Prize to be given to the cleanest local government area in the state as well as the cleanest autonomous community, primary school and secondary school, respectively in each council.
In a statement by Chibuike Onyeukwu, the Chief Press Secretary to the governor, a planning, sensitizing and implementation committee has been appointed and approved for the July 2019 clean-up exercise.
The governor said that the committee, chaired by former governor Ikedi Ohakim, is to source for sponsorships and partners, organize “Ihedioha Green Volunteers”, create and manage brand materials, publicity and media, organize and manage the evacuation of refuse and dump sites, enforce total compliance, recommend and organize Governor’s Prize and audit and handover for August committee.
The committee has Commander 34 Aritillery Brigade as Deputy Chairman, with Alex Emeziem, ENTRACO Chairman as Secretary.
Others are Imo State Commissioner of Police, Chairman State Council of Traditional Rulers among others.
Meanwhile,
Governor Ihedioha has enjoined Imo citizens to always take advantage of their contacts and positions to attract development to the state, reiterating the readiness of his administration to partner with such persons or organizations.
The governor stated this at the commissioning of the 100 solar powered street lights, built and donated to the people of Ezeagbogu, in Ezinihitte LGA by the Japanese Government in corroboration with Development Dynamics and Ufotonnie International Limited, on Tuesday.
He said that his administration was focused on encouraging Imolites and foreigners to join in the rebuilding project for the benefit of all and sundry.
His words:
“I associate myself and government of Imo State with positive developments for the good of our people. I thank our brothers who facilitated this project. It is a matter of fact that development is influenced, so when you have a privileged position, you must take advantage of it to benefit humanity.
“Now that the Japanese government is part of us, it will not be out of place to seek an extension of this gesture to other parts of the state”.
He mandated the community to set up a maintenance and security committees to see that the project is maintained and secured, stressing, that security is the collective responsibility, and therefore charged the community heads, youths and members of the public to safeguard projects in the state.
Also, the Japanese Ambassador, Mr. Yukata Kikuta, commended Governor Ihedioha on his development initiatives and assured of the continued partnership with the state government.
He said, “Japan is strongly committed to supporting Nigeria as declared at the Sixth Tokyo International Conference on Africa Development (TICAD VI). One of its themes was the promotion of social stability for shared prosperity and this project is part of our commitment to the socio-economic development of Imo State.”
Others, including member representing Ahiazu/Ezinihitte Mbaise Federal Constituency, Hon. Emeka Chinedu, member representing Ezinihitte State Constituency, Hon. Anyadike Nwosu, Chairman, Interim Management Committee, Ezinihitte LGA, Mrs. Gertrude Irueme, founder, Development Dynamics, Dr. Jude Ohanele, President General, Ezegbogu community, Chief P.O. Inyama and others, lauded the governor for his support in making the project a reality.
Highlights of the event included the official commissioning of the project and the conferment of chieftaincy title of Enyi Ukwu 1 of Ezeagbogu on the Japanese Ambassador by the traditional rulers of the area.