The Imo State governor, Owelle Rocha Okorocha has reiterated his resolve to run an open, transparent and all inclusive government where Imo citizens are kept on track of government activities and financial transactions.
Owelle Rocha OkorochaGovernor Okorocha made this known at the Town Hall meeting with the people of Ikeduru and Mbaitoli Local Government Areas.
Governor Okorocha who went on project inspection tour of the LGAs in company of his deputy, Prince Eze Mmadumere, expressed hope that the town hall meeting would bring about new focus and new programmes for Ikeduru and Mbaitoli LGAs.
He said that government has set machinery in place to ensure that all projects initiated by the present administration are completed. “I will not start any project that I will not finish. It is not in my character.” Governor Okorocha maintained.
Owelle Okorocha assured the people that the State will continue on its path of progress in terms of infrastructural and social development and urged them to resist any government that would put the Imo Free Education and development programmes on the reverse.
He further said that government has introduced the Youth Must Work Programme and other empowerment programmers as part of measures to keep Imo youths away from anti social activities and warned that any youth who fails to engage in meaningful activity by May 2014 will be arrested. He therefore charged unemployed youths in the State to enroll for the Youth Must Work programme.
In appreciation to the support given to the Rescue Mission Government the governor approved the building of 14 new primary schools for Ikeduru and awarded construction of 2 additional roads in Mbaitoli as special packages.
Governor Okorocha however regretted that out of the 24.8 Km road approved for Ikedure LGA at the cost of N1.488 Billion, only about 5 km had been tarred, while the sum of N705 Million has already been paid to the contractors. He avowed that no contractor will be allowed to embezzle money made for road construction.
Contributing, the Deputy Governor, Prince Eze Mmadumere who hails from Mbaitoli/Ikeduru federal constituency, expressed happiness at the visit which he said has provided an opportunity for the people to get acquainted with programmes of government in the area.
Prince Mmadumere said that his relationship with the Governor has been most cordial and fruitful. He urged the people to continue to support the Rescue Mission government while thanking Governor Okorocha for the special attention given to Mbaitoli and Ikeduru Local Government Areas.
The Members representing Ikeduru and Mbaitoli State Constituencies in the House of assembly, Hon. Sam Daddy Anyanwu and Hon. Victor Ndunagu attested that Governor Okorocha has performed creditably and had at all times enjoyed the support of Imo law makers.
Hon. Ndunagu appealed that more roads be captured for construction in Mbaitoli to compensate for her land mass and large population.
In his address of welcome, the Transition Committee Chairman of Ikeduru Local Government, Engr. Obinna Nshirim applauded the Rescue Mission policies on Education, Healthcare, Community Government Council (CGC) and aggressive rural road transformation. While the Transition Committee Chairman for Mbaitoli LGA, Dr. Pat Nnah expressed confidence in the visionary leadership of Governor Rochas Okorocha and assured the continued support of the people of the area.
The Council Chairmen however called the Governor’s attention to some critical needs of the areas especially the roads which were not captured in the first phase of rural road construction programme.
On behalf of Mbaitoli and Ikeduru royal fathers, the Chairman Imo State Council of Traditional Rulers, HRH Eze Samuel Ohiri appealed to the people of the area to reciprocate Governor Okorocha’s kind gesture by giving him massive support.
Political appointees and stakeholders from Mbaitoli and Ikeduru council areas were on hand to attest to the development programmes going on in the area.