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This is His Excellency's address on the 14th of Febuary, 2012 at the Hero's Square. From Hon. Commissioner for Information & Strategy.
Fellow Citizens
I welcome you all to the second STATE OF IMO ADDRESS. It is an event that has been put together by this administration to provide an opportunity for our government to brief the people on the progress made so far in the various sectors of our local economy and to share with the people our experiences in the governance of the State. As a forum for stock taking, it is also expected to provide the basis for the building and sustenance of an elaborate feedback mechanism that seeks to inject the concern and expectations of the people into the development process.
When my administration came to office May 29, 2011 we made a solemn pledge to the people of Imo State to provide accountable, responsive and responsible governance that would be totally focused on the needs and aspirations of the citizenry. In making this commitment, we were driven by a compelling need to make a positive difference in the lives of our people by bringing about a clear break from those past attitudes and practices that has held us down as a people. Under this new dispensation, it was important to make the interest of our people the centerpiece of our development efforts and ensure that we provided an environment that is conducive to the pursuit of our personal and group aspirations.
For the records, it is important to summarize what we inherited from the past administration. We met a State of infrastructure that was in a significant State of dilapidation. Our public road network was not only inadequate but in a State of disrepair making commuting within the State very inconvenient and costly experiences for the average road user. The State’s Public Health delivery system was very inefficient and definitely incapable of meeting the health care needs of our people. Our Educational system was characterized by decaying infrastructure and an environment that is not conducive to learning and research. There was a palpable feeling of insecurity with incessant cases of armed robbery, kidnapping and sundry criminal activities. Across the entire spectrum of activities within our State, we had glaring cases of inadequacies and shortcomings that made Imo State rank poorly in the comity of States. As a matter of fact, a graphic summary of the sordid state of affairs could well be gleaned from the World Bank Doing Business Report for Nigeria (2010) which ranked Imo State 35th in a survey of the thirty-six States and FCT.
The situation in our dear State was such that neither inspired nor galvanized our people to strive for individual or collective excellence in their lives. Against this background, it was of utmost importance that we took immediate steps to recreate and restore our peoples confidence in the machinery of governance as a primary condition for their engagement and commitment to the development process. In a country where corruption has been pervasive and continue to be the single, most formidable obstacle to real economic growth and genuine, people-centred development, it was imperative to run a transparent government that would inspire the confidence and trust of the governed and gain their total commitment to supporting government policies and initiatives aimed at reversing the deplorable state of affairs in the State.
BUILDING TRUST, ENGAGING THE PEOPLE
Realizing the imperative of galvanizing the people in the pursuit of our development agenda, my administration took a number of steps to restore the people’s confidence in government.
- As your Governor I cut down the State Security Vote by N4billion to provide additional funds for our Fee Education Programme.
- We settled the backlog of pensions which remained unpaid for between two (2) to twelve (12) years in a move that restored the confidence of our brethren, who had served their State in various capacities, in their government. Going forward, I have directed that all issues relating to outstanding pension claims be addressed by the end of this month.
- This was in addition to clearing the arrears of salaries owed our civil servants when this administration assumed office.
- I have also directed that a payment plan be put in place to begin the process of settling over N8billion of outstanding gratuities.
- We also resolved the issue of minimum wage expeditiously by agreeing to pay
N20,000.00 as minimum wage as against N18,000 that was recommended.
SECTORAL REVIEW OF PERFORMANCE
Since this is a stock taking event, may I now crave your indulgence to formally brief this august audience on the actions we have taken so far to begin the process of reversing the ugly trend which we met on assumption of office.
PUBLIC WORKS INFRASTURCTURE
Perhaps the most critical segment of our infrastructure that required immediate attention was our road network. Roads are like arteries and provide the basis for movement of goods, services and people within any economy. It would therefore, not be out of place to say that the state of economic development of any entity has some relationship to the state of its transportation infrastructure, including roads.
As at today, over 600km of roads are under construction across the State. When these urban and rural roads are completed, they would ease the flow of vehicular and human traffic in the State. These roads include:
1. Dora Amako Avenue, Aladinma
2. Onukogu Street
3. Egbukole Street
4. Eni Njoku Street
5. Off MCC–Uratta Road, Uratta Housing Road, opposite Pilgrim Dry Cleaning
6. Federal Housing Estate Trans Egbu Owerri
7. Nsu Njaba Street
8. Chief Damian Street
9. Eze Ibenye Ugbala Street
10. World Bank Market Road
11. Sylvester Nkwocha Street
12. Bethel Amadi
13. Nsu Street
14. New Market Road
15. Amaigbo Link–Nekede Road
16. Osina Street
17. Ubochi Street
18. Bata New Market Park
19. Ezioha Street, Aladinma Estate
20. Dredging of Lake Nwaebere with manholes and drains
21. Mbano Street, Aladinma
Off Orlu Road Owerri
22. Rokana Crescent, Chief P. C. Onuoha
23. Ikenegbu St.
24. Ohazara Street
25. Mbari street
26. Ekwema Street
27. Nwaturuocha Street
28. Onukagu Street
29. Regina Street
30. Odualam Close - (To be disilted and to discharge)
31. Okwu-Uratta-Owalla Road
32. Christiana Hospital Road, Egbu Owerri
Trans Uratta Housing Estate
33. Igwe Allan Close
34. Okeoma Close
35. Pilgrims Street
36. Nworie Avenue (with stone base dual)
37. Umaru Musa Yar’Adua Driver Extension
Okigwe Road Govt. College
38. Police Road
39. Ekwema Crescent, Ikenegbu
40. Oduobi Crescent Ikenegbu
41. Shell Camp Police link Road
42. Lake Nwabere Street, Aladinma
43. Arochukwu Street, Aladinma
44. Umuguma World Bank Road Junction with roundabout
45. Rehabilitation of eroded sections along Ahiara junction to Aba branch with culverts
46. Dredging of cashment at Central Bank quarters
47. Chief Justice Agada Road
48. Elder Theophilus Eguh Street
49. St. Cyprian Street
50. Lemchi Ezuruke Lane (All in Trans-Egbu Owerri)
51. Mechanic Village–Umukoto Nekede Road
Federal Housing Estate Trans Egbu Owerri
52. Road 1, Road 3
53. Road 4, Ohafia Street (with 2 side drains)
Orlu
54. Amorji-Bsc Road with the spur
55. Osuagwe/Ojiegbe Road
56. ITC-Owerri Old Road
Okigwe
57. Stadium/Anglican Church/Bishop’s House
Trans Egbu
58. Straight Street
59. Amaechi Street
60. Abba Street
Egbu Road
61. Nguru Mbaise
62. Abba Street
Ikenegbu Layout
63. Harcourt White Street
64. Kano Street
65. Ezra Street
66. Nzimo Street
67. Avu Street
68. Ajuluchi Street
69. Ikechukwu Okonkwo Lane
70. Ajuruchi Loops
71. Dr. Ben Okoye Crescent
72. Nwaolu Lane
73. Odionyema Street
74. Odionye Street to Nworie Lane
75. Construction of Spibat
76. Township Road including Spur to Orlu Oji
77. Dualization of Okigwe
78. Ihuba-Umuelemai-Imuahia Road
Orlu LGA
79. Ubuzor Lane
80. Okoro Street
81. 28 Okorie Ezike Road with spur
82. Ichanga Street with spur
83. Prefab Owerri
Prefab
84. Bishop Idahosa Street
85. Emenakam Street
Trans-Egbu
86. Mazi Gabriel Street
87. Ekwedim Street
88. Abba Street
89. Dick Tiger Loop
90. Dr. Patrick Azochukwu Street
Owerri
91. Spibat Area
92. Ibeh Crescent Orji Owerri
93. O Grey/Ndukwu/Mississipi
94. Ndumkwu by Sylvester Nkwocha Road Works L/out
95. HRH Ezeh T. I. Odoemelem Lane Prefab
96. NBE Nwigwe Crescent
97. Ekwema/Nwaturuocha Street
98. Okigwe Road-Bala Suya to FMC Road
99. Oguta Street, Aladinma
100. Prefab Housing Estate
101. Anokwurundu Street
102. Hon. Ibejiako-Ama Wire Road
103. Limca-Ndubuisi-Owerri Road Ok. WAEX-Don K & E
104. Item Street Ikenegbu (Evacuation of gutter)
105. Geodora Avenue-nwigwe Street and Spur Prefab
106. Prefab Housing Estate Owerri
107. Owerri Town
108. Spibat Road
109. Ama Ezie-Eze Okwara Palace Road-Morning Star Sec. Sch, Orlu
110. Church of God Mission, Uratta Road
111. Nwabose Amnata-Umumaisiaku Road, Ideato South
112. Aaron Ogbonna Street Ikenegbu L/out
113. Nwabosi-Umunokem Road, Ideato South
114. Mgbidi Street, Aladinma Layout
115. Ike Ikeh Ave. Area H Udunwa Garden New Owerri.
116. 4th & 5th Avenue Egbeada Housing Estate
117. Livy Mgwangwa Street and America Alumni
118. Construction of Essom Obodo Road, off House of Assembly Ave. (1step Academy) with a spur to Suncity Hotel
119. Road 12 (Dr. Iwuala Osuoha St. MCC cleaning off MCC Uratta Rd. at Uratta Housing Estate.
120. Bala Suya – repair of potholes/desit of drain
121. Stadium Lane
122. Umunkwo Street
123. Olokoro Street
124. Chief Okani Street
125. Ovim Street
126. Fuason Street
127. Engr. E. K. Uzor Crescent
128. Umuewere Ave. of Chief Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu Rd.New Owerri
129. Steve Orji behind Water Board
130. Egu Crescent Uratta
131. Osuji Crescent Trans-Egbu
132. Lomara-Imo Hotels Roads with spur to Alexandrain Street
133. Cameroon Street
134. Eze Ilomuanya Ave. with a spur to All Seasons Hotel
135. Otamiri Street repairs of potholes/desilting of drains
136. Mbonu Ojike Street
137. Mbari Street Ikenegbu/potholes desilt of drains
138. Nkwocha Street, Works Layout
140. Willy Elezianya Street Owerri
141. Old IBC Road from Egbu
142. SUBEB Road heading to World Bank Road
143. Rehabilitation of Old Owerri Orlu Road
144. Dualization of Owus Avenue-Enugu Road Bank Road
145. Awala-Umuchima-Along Mgbee Road
146. Isaiah Amamasi Road
147. OGBA Road
148. Eze Street
149. Engr. Chima Okafor Road off MCC Road Uratta Owerri
150. Abiriba Street Prefab
151. Area ‘N’ Zone 3 Roads, World Bank Owerri
152. Major C. N. Okonkwo Avenue plus a spur from the transformer junction
153. Enoch Anyanwu Street
154. Ikenanzizi Street
155. Obowo Ikwuano Street
156. Mgbidi Street
157. Stanley Adumeke Street
158. Sight & Services World Bank
159. Ihitte/Uboma Umuawuchi Road
160. Awo-mamma Street
161. Archdeacon Dennis/Extention
162. Arugo Street
163. Bishop Okoye Street
164. New Stadium Road by ITC Part off MCC Road
165. Spur-Amauzuri Street
166. Relief Market Road & its Adjoining Street
167. Township Road in Orlu/Umuezeala Street
168. Mgbee Street
169. Link Road (Amaigbo-Old Owerri Road)
169. Ezearo Street
170. Stadium Road
171. Ebenator Street
172. Rambler Street
173. Emezie Street
174. Ben Ohieri Street
175. Osuigwe Ojegbe
176. Umuna Road
177. Awo-Idemili
178. new Market Motor Park
179. New Market Road
180. Amaigbo Link-Nekede Road
181. Osina Street & Ubochi Street
182. Umuonyeali Mbieri International Market Road
183. Rehabilitation/Construction of Chinwe Akano Ring Road
184. Construction of International Roads in Zone ‘5’ World Bank Housing Estate, Owerri
185. Construction of Nworie Avenue
186. Yar’Adua Extension Road
187. World Bank Area ‘N’ Zone 2
188. Ahiazu Mbaise LGA
189. Ezinihitte LGA
190. Construction of Old Commissioner’s Quarters Road
191. Uratta-Over Comers ECWA Road
192. 3No. Roads (Works L/out) Mike Obioha, Ihechukwu Madubuike Street No.3.
193. Royal Duke Crescent Area ‘A’ World Bank
194. Oga St/Offor Nwagu and Odoboro Lane Amakohia
195. Disilting of Road
196. Umuchima to Eke Ogberuru Road
197. Eke Ogberuru junction to Okabala Ihioma-Ibuzu
198. Orji Primary School, Ivory Motel – Amawire
199. Eugene Opara Crescent
200. Disilting of manholes and drains at Okigwe
201. Nino Diamond Street Works L/out
202. Akukere Street, Works L/out
203. Tetlow Extension-Old Timber Market
204. Federal Secretariat Road, Owerri
205. Area ‘M’ Roads
206. World Bank Area ‘N’ Zone 4
207. Construction of Mgbee-Ogbako-Amanato Roads
208. Sylvester Nwocha
209. Ogra Road
210. Mac-Donald Akanno Road behind Dream Land
211. Disilting of Roads
212. Dual Carriage Way in Musa Yar’Adua
213. Egneada-Nwaorie Bridge
214. Akohma Roundabout-Eke Nguru Umuopia-Oweee
215. Akokwa-Ndiamazuru-Umualoma Road
216. Iho Dimeze Road and Orji Ako Road
217. Road 1, Road 2, Road 3, Road 4
218. Umumaisiaku Street
219. Isuochi Street
220. Elendu-Eronini Road
221. Livy Ngwagwa Road
222. Bonny Ejiogu
223. Ikenanzizi Street
224. Bishop Crowther
225. Bishop Whelam
226. No.2 New Government L/out
227. Road 8 Uratta Housing Estate
228. Rehabilitation of Chukwuma Nwoha/Dualization
229. Oguta Street
230. Nwanguma Street
231. Item Street Orlu with Spur
232. 1.2km Claret Academy Street
233. Ugwuoji-Ozimba Street Area ‘A’
234. Construction of Dual Carriage Way in Musa Yar’Adua
235. Egbeada-Nworie Bridge to Orlu Road
236. Umuanume Nsu Nkwo Alike Road Ehime Mbano LGA
237. Rehabilitation of Orlu/Nkwerre/Amaigbo Roads
238. Cheshire Home/Ezirioha Link Road
239. Enugu Road/beach Street Link Roads
240. Achike Udenwa Estate, Area ‘H’
241. Nwagboso-Egbeza (Alanato) Umumaisiaku with a spur from Egbeza Orie Amanato junction
This is in addition to over 540km of rural roads currently under Construction in the 27 Local Government Areas of Imo State.
In addition to these roads, the following public buildings and facilities have either been completed or are nearing completion:
i. New Executive Council (Exco) Chambers
ii. A new Multi-purpose Hall/Expanded Exco chambers
iii. A new Banquet Hall
iv. The first ever Government House Chapel
v. An Ultra modern Office Building for the First Lady
vi. An Ultra modern Office Building for the Deputy Governor
vii. 11No. Government Guest Houses
viii. Mbari Amphi Theatre
ix. A new Musical Arcade Christened “Bongo Square”
x. Remodeling of abandoned Imo Hotel including construction of a new Amphi Theatre
xi. Construction of the Freedom Square/People’s Embassy
xii. The Heroes Square with 10,000 seats
xiii. Construction of the Heroes Gate
xiv. Heroes Guest House
xv. Renovation of the Concorde Hotel (ongoing)
xvi. Renovation of the Oguta Motel
xvii. Oguta Lake Conference Centre
xviii. The Ikemba Ojukwu Centre
xix. Concorde Hotel Extension
xx. Renovation of the Customary Court of Appeal Headquarters
xxi. Renovation of the Commissioner’s Quarters, Deputy Governor’s and Speaker’s Lodges.
xxii. Renovation of the State Secretariat Complex along Port Harcourt Road.
xxiii. Completion of abandoned Imo House at Abuja.
In addition to the foregoing projects, we have also embarked on an elaborate programme of transformation for Orlu and Okigwe towns. A significant aspect of this programme is the dualization of the approach roads leading to these cities.
This government intends to break the age-long jinx about Okigwe and Orlu that has seen these towns perpetually underdeveloped. Before this government leaves office we plan to deliver the following projects in these two towns:
- A Five-Star Hotel
- A Civic Centre
- A Modern Stadium
- Removal of all shanties in the towns and provision of street lights.
- Construction of Government House Annex. It is the plan of this administration that the seat of government should move to these towns periodically in order to give the residents of these towns a sense of belonging and also generate additional commercial activities from such movements.
EDUCATION
In the course of the electioneering campaigns leading to the 2011 General Elections, I made the commitment to free, qualitative education the central theme of the campaign and my political manifesto.
We have since the assumption of office made this promise a reality by providing free education in our primary and secondary schools. Government has also embarked on the upgrading of infrastructure in our educational system. Of particular significance is the programme to construct 305 school blocks in our primary schools to replace the largely decrepit infrastructure we inherited on assumption of office.
A summary of the key initiatives and programmes undertaken within the educational sector is provided hereunder:
Increase of the monthly subvention to the Imo State University (IMSU) from N57million to N100million. Permit me at this point to comment on the issue of the relocation of Imo State University. It is worrisome that since the inception, this university has operated from temporary site and for this reason, government has decided to move it to a permanent site. It is also the desire of this administration to establish three (3) Universities in the three senatorial zones and I believe this would bring the needless controversy over the relocation of the University to a closure. As you may be aware, the staff of Imo State University are currently on strike and we are taking steps to resolve this impasse and return the school to normal activities. We are, however, concerned about some financial transactions that took place in the University and, in particular, the borrowing of N800million from a Commercial Bank which has remained a burden to the University. Government shall be looking into this matter in due course.
Release of N135m to the Imo State Polytechnic Umuagwo Ohaji; we are constructing two new hostel blocks at the Polytechnic and also intend to complete all abandoned projects. We believe these projects would on completion transform the Polytechnic into a more conducive environment for learning and research.
The setting up of the Imo College of Advanced Professional Studies (ICAPS) in Owerri and the Young Scientists College; It is instructive to note that the setting up of this College was inspired by the challenges we faced in the course of dealing with matter of suspending the employment of about 10,000 persons improperly engaged in the State’s Civil Service. The setting up of this school (ICAPS) with its world class teaching staff shall provide opportunities for our graduates to acquire skills that would help them become employable in various sectors of the economy.
Recruitment of over 2,000 new Teachers, with plans at an advanced stage to introduce a training and recertification programme that would enhance the overall quality and competitiveness of our teaching staff and ensure that they meet the expectations of our modern and globalizing world.
For those of you who know me well, I have an incredible passion for education and shall do all within my powers to support the educational sector. To this end we intend to do the following:
Primary Schools
- We shall continue the payment of stipends ranging from
N400 – N600 per pupil/student per quarter;
- We shall provide writing materials to our pupils (biro, pencils, notebooks, textbooks, etc);
- Provide Free Uniforms and bags;
- All schools in the State shall be computerized before the end of 2013.
Furthermore, the Imo State Government has approved as follows:
i. To provide scholarships of N25,000 per annum to every pupil in the Primary School system who is an indigene of the State. This amount is comparable to what is being paid in most relatively good and properly run private schools in the State;
ii. Government shall continue to be responsible for the provision and maintenance of all infrastructure–buildings, computers, writing desks and monies paid as scholarship would remain in the schools for the running of each school.
iii. Secondary Schools: Henceforth a scholarship of N40,000 shall be paid to each secondary school student who is an indigene of the State
iv. In line with what obtains in the Primary Schools, government shall be responsible for the provision and maintenance of infrastructure and all monies paid to the schools to provide services.
However, pupils and students whose performance fall below set benchmark would not be entitled to such scholarships.
IMO STATE POLYTECHNIC UMUAGWO, OHAJI
Government has approved the payment of N60,000 per annum to all OND students who are indigenes of Imo State studying at the Imo Polytechnic Umuagwo and a payment of N80,000 per annum for all HND students who are indigenes of the State.
Out of these sums, N20,000 shall be treated as a loan with the balance being treated as scholarship. These loans are without conditions and we expect that the beneficiaries shall upon completion of their studies repay such loans without coersion.
IMO STATE UNIVERSITY
Henceforth, students of Imo State origin studying in Imo State University shall be entitled to a scholarship of N100,000 each as against the current subsisting payment of not more than N50,000 as fees by each student. Appropriate benchmarks shall be set for acceptable performance and students who fail to achieve the set benchmarks each year shall have the scholarship discontinued.
The disbursement of the proceeds of the scholarship shall be made directly to the institutions. With this development, these tertiary institutions shall be treated as autonomous entities thus satisfying their age long clarion call for university autonomy.
We have also ordered the release of N450,000,000 promised by the previous administration as grant to mission schools returned to the original owners. This would assist the owners rehabilitate the facilities in these schools which may have deteriorated over the years.
HEALTH
Over the years, our health sector has suffered a drastic degradation of infrastructure and facilities and has failed woefully in the pursuit of the goal of providing quality and affordable healthcare to our people. As the facilities were in a state of serious decay, we witnessed a drastic decline in patronage of public healthcare services by our citizens. It might interest this august audience to know that a hospital like General Hospital Awo-Omamma generates an average of N5,000 per month. At the General Hospital Ihitte Uboma, only three (3) patients were seen in the entire hospital on a routine visit. And this is a hospital that has ninety three (93) workers and costs the State approximately N4million monthly in operating expenses. In addition, the poor quality of health personnel within the sector remains a fundamental challenge to the provision of quality healthcare to our people.
To check the deterioration of services and begin the process of repositioning our healthcare delivery system in our quest for improved services, this administration has introduced a number of initiatives and embarked on programmes that seek to enhance the overall quality of service provision and access to care in the State. Some of these include:
- The construction of new General Hospitals in the 27 LGAs in the State. In reaching a decision to implement this programme, we have taken into consideration the poor quality of physical infrastructure in the existing hospitals and the need to provide modern hospital environment that would enhance the goal of providing quality care to Imo State Citizens;
- The ongoing rehabilitation of the General Hospitals located at Umuguma, Owerri-West LGA, Aboh Mbaise and Awo-Omamma;
- Completion of projects that were abandoned at the Imo State University Teaching Hospital Orlu and the upgrade of diagnostic facilities at the hospital including the installation of an MRI equipment;
- To ensure better funding of the Imo State University Teaching Hospital, this administration increased its monthly subvention from
N66million to N95.4million.
- Of particular significance is the fact that the first set of graduates of the College of Medicine at the University were able to complete their studies following actions taken by this government to meet the requirements for accreditation as specified by the relevant authorities;
- The award of a contract for the construction of a Modern Diagnostic/Renal (Kidney) centre in Owerri to an Israeli firm. Under this arrangement, the firm would manage the facilities for fifteen (15) years after completion. We have taken this step to ensure that the centre is not only well managed in accordance with applicable global standards but also to ensure that local personnel are trained over the period to manage the facility at the expiration of the Management Contract.
If the State so permits, I shall request that this centre on completion be named after my late father who suffered severe kidney problems leading to his death.
- We have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Apollo Hospital Group in India to equip and manage some of the new hospitals upon completion;
- To promote competition in the provision of healthcare services in the State, we have also signed an M.o.U. with the Private Medical Practitioners in the State with a view to handing over some of the planned new general hospitals under a Public Private Partnership arrangement. We expect that the involvement of our local doctors in the management of our hospitals would challenge them to excel.
- A new referral Hospital shall be built in Owerri, the State Capital by this administration;
- We intend to introduce a Health Insurance Scheme by September 2012 to provide healthcare coverage to our citizens and residents who are registered under the State’s Social Security/Citizens Registration Scheme;
- To reinvigorate the management of our healthcare sector, the Hospital Management Board (HMB) has been dissolved and in its place shall be a Health Development Board (HDB) which shall provide regulatory framework for the health sector. This followed the discovery that the Hospitals Management Board (HMB) was an impediment to the proper and effective running of our hospitals. We expect that the hospitals shall be granted the autonomy going forward and that those who manage such institutions shall be held accountable for the results.
- Health-At-Your Door step: This is an initiative that would help provide emergency medicare 24/7. Already the State has acquired eighty four (84) medical ambulances for the scheme which shall be run under the aegies of Imo foundation.
- To focus attention on preventive medicare, we have provided 100,000 pieces of glucometre to screen for diabetes patients. The glucometres would be distributed free of charge to sufferers who shall be educated in their use.
- We have also concluded arrangements to provide compulsory breast cancer screening for women in furtherance of our goal of emphasising preventive healthcare.
- To strengthen our public healthcare system, a State Primary Healthcare Development Agency shall be established soon. A draft of the enabling law shall soon be sent to the State House of Assembly for their consideration.
COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY
As stated earlier in the course of this speech, our local environment has not been conducive to the growth of Commerce and Industry within the State. And unless far reaching steps are taken to redress this situation, the competitiveness of Imo State as a destination for investment would continue to be hindered.
Aside from providing public road infrastructure that would support the economic growth and development, this government would be embarking on the upgrade of infrastructure within the Onitsha Road Industrial Estate. This programme would cover the provision of a good road network within the area, water and electricity reticulation infrastructure and the construction of an embedded power plant to meet the needs of this captive market. As a government, we recognize the role of industrialization in enhancing economic prosperity and, in particular, the goal of job creation. Providing critical infrastructure and facilities to support the industrial sector remains a key focus of this government and we shall pursue it with vigour.
To facilitate the development of the Onitsha Road Industrial Layout and ensure that only serious industrialists are accommodated, government has taken the decision to revoke the title to all plots that have remained undeveloped since the plots were allocated about thirty (30) years ago.
REHABILITATION OF ABANDONED INDUSTRIES
When this administration came into office, we identified the need to rehabilitate some ailing industrial concerns which were abandoned by previous administrations. Again, this was in the pursuit of the goal of industrializing the State and enhancing the level of economic activities with the concomitant objective of enhancing the overall prosperity and living conditions of our people.
To this end, we have concluded plans to rehabilitate the Standard Shoe Company in Owerri and the construction of a modern tile factory at Nsu, Ehime Mbano LGA. At the Standard Shoe Company, we met a company that so badly mismanaged that it had a non-performing debt portfolio in excess of N400 million and had ceased operations. Under the rehabilitation programme for the Company, government shall be divesting a significant part of its interest in a restructuring programme that would see the Italian Technical Partners become the majority shareholders in the Company. It is our view that the previous ownership structure was an impediment to the operations of the company as a commercial entity. To encourage the process of reengineering and repositioning the company and accelerate the process of rehabilitation, Imo State Government has awarded the Standard Shoe Company the contract for the supply of school shoes to pupils in the State’s school system in furtherance of our goal of providing free, qualitative education. We hope that the contract valued at N440 million will provide a lifeline to the company to enable it return to commercial operations.
In the case of Nsu Tiles (now Imo Tiles) we saw a laudable project commenced during the glorious years of the Mbakwe administration totally abandoned with over twenty (20) containers of various equipment now obsolete found within the premises. Unfortunately, these equipment are of no use and are being removed from the site to make way for a new ultramodern factory to be constructed under the Public Private Partnership (PPP) deal with an Italian Company Fratelli Lerose. This project which is expected to attract Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) in the region of sum of about 130m Euros would lead to the creation of over 2,000 jobs and other ancillary businesses. It is estimated that the factory shall produce 15000 square metres of tile per day when completed in two years time. May we, appeal to the youths of this area to co-operate with the new investors and not engage in any act capable of causing disorder and disrupting this noble plan for their area.
AGRICULTURE
As the mainstay of our economy the agricultural sector shall continue to receive the attention of this administration to enable it continue its age-long role as a vehicle for the creation of economic prosperity and, in particular, jobs for our teeming population of unemployed citizens. Regrettably, most food crops and commodities consumed in our State are brought in from the Northern States. This is a worrisome trend which must be checked if we are to achieve food security for our state. To support the activities of our rural farmers, this administration has approved the disbursement of N400 million to our local farmers to enable them enhance the acreage of their farms in the pursuit of our goal of self sufficiency.
Furthermore, part of our strategy is to actively encourage the setting up of industries that would utilize cash crops and other primary commodities that abound in our State. This would facilitate value creation along the supply chain and guarantee better pricing for such cash crops to the benefit of our rural farmers who engage in the farming of such commodities. In implementing this programme, we have been guided by past experiences where a glut in the market for such cash crops have been created owing to the absence of a well articulated off take arrangement involving the processing of such products. Invariably this led to depression in the prices of such cash crops and the attendant loss of income by the local farmers.
In the past eight (8) months, this administration has also paid attention to some agricultural ventures which were either abandoned or neglected. Of significance is the fact that the Imo Palm Plantation (former Adapalm) has been taken over by new investors and it is expected to generate at least 4,000 jobs upon full rehabilitation. Also the Imo Modern Poultry Avutu Obowo is undergoing a process of rehabilitation. Although our efforts in this regard suffered a setback as a result of subsisting legal challenges inherited from the previous administration, we remain optimistic that the farm shall soon be rehabilitated to enable it contribute to the prosperity of Imo State and its citizens and in particular, to create jobs.
In the course of this year, Poultry farms shall be set up by the local governments in a partnership with the private sector. Also the State’s Ministry of Agriculture has concluded discussions with investors for the establishment of rice farms at Aro Ndizuogu, Ohaji Egbema, Obowo and Ngor Okpalla LGAs and oil palm plantations at Ohaji, Egbema and Oru West LGAs. These ventures are part of the implementation of a job creation strategy anchored on the agricultural sector and which is projected to create at least 15,000 jobs within the next eighteen (18) months.
SECURITY
As a government, we are aware of the importance of a safe and secure environment to the pursuit of our development agenda for Imo citizens and businesses.
In recognition of this fact, this administration launched a Community Policing programme shortly after assumption of office. In the first phase of this initiative, One hundred (100) fully equipped Ford Ranger Trucks were provided to the security agencies for joint patrol exercises in the local government areas. This has greatly enhanced the operational readiness of our security agencies in the combat of crime and has led to a significant reduction in the incidence of criminal activities. As a matter of fact, at the inception of this government, the state was recording an average of twenty (20) kidnapping/robbery cases weekly. However, this has gone down considerably with the identification of the masterminds. You would also recall that we took some actions against traditional rulers in those local governments where we noticed an upsurge in criminal activities.
We thank the Security agencies in Imo State for their support and cooperation in this regard and we shall spare no efforts in our determination to combat crime and the activities of miscreants within our society.
Any commentary on the issue of security would be incomplete without a mention of the Boko Haram menace that has become a threat to the peace and stability of our great nation.
This development is most unfortunate and we must do all we can to confront the challenges it poses to our collective destiny. It is a national problem which must not be seen as ethnic or religious as the victims come from the entire spectrum of our great nation. As we all know, the two great religions of Islam and Christianity abhor killing for whatever reasons and we must remain united in our belief and understanding of the issues raised by this unfortunate tendency.
My recent visits to Kano, Bauchi and Gombe States were made to re-emphasise the common message of our unity and reiterate those values that pull us together. These are obviously trying times and we must not allow acts that fan the embers of disunity amongst us. And let me also sue for the co-operation of all Nigerians with the President and Commander-in-Chief as he deals with this national challenge.
IMO MULTI CITY DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMME
Over the years, the physical development of Imo State has been largely stunted owing to the absence of a clear, strategic initiative to develop some key development/activity centres into cities. At the moment, only Owerri, Orlu and Okigwe appear to have some semblance of orderly planning and development as cities. As a consequence of this shortcoming, our State and the towns within have continued to struggle in their bid to realize their potentials as modern cities.
This government is determined to tackle the town planning and development challenges that face these small towns by recognizing them as the nuclei of activities within their geographical locations and making them the fulcrum of growth and development. Aside from providing and upgrading infrastructure in the three towns of Owerri, Orlu and Okigwe, we shall be embarking on the development of new cities in Umuaka (Njaba LGA), Nworieubi (Mbaitoli LGA), Anara (Isiala Mbanu LGA), Ahiara (Ahiara Mbaise LGA), Okpalla (Ngor Okpalla LGA), Mgbidi (Oru West LGA) and Akokwa (Ideato North LGA). Initially, a minimum of 100 hectares of land shall be provided in each of these locations and shall have facilities such as a General Hospital, Housing Estate with recreational facilities, Guest Houses, etc. In choosing these locations we have considered the major road networks in the State in a bid to provide ready connections between these new cities and the existing ones. In the long run, we hope to gradually transform our State into a one-city State with continuous activity centres provided in these cities. May I add that these cities are part of the first phase of a statewide town planning transformation initiative that would ultimately involve additional locations in the near future.
DEVELOPMENT OF LOCAL GOVERNMENT AREAS
This government also recognizes the need to develop our local government areas following years of neglect and squandering of resources at this level of government.
It is common knowledge that the funds meant for local governments were often times misappropriated by the office of the first lady, Chief of Staff or disbursed to godfathers. These unwholesome practices shall find no place in this government and we are determined to ensure that these funds are put to work in these local government areas.
The State shall partner with the local governments in a collaboration aimed at ensuring the provision of basic infrastructure in our rural areas. In the past five decades, we have witnessed the migration of rural dwellers to our cities owing to the lack of amenities and facilities in such rural areas. This government shall begin the process of reversing this trend by providing support for basic town planning in our local government areas to support the orderly development of these Communities.
To provide critical funding for this initiative, the sum of N1billion Naira has been provided to each Local Government to pursue the developmental goals of this partnership.
It is the plan of this government to spend at least N4 billion in each local government area during the life of the administration. During this period, we intend to achieve the following:
- Construction of at least 15kms of road in each LGA;
- Establishment of a modern Poultry Farm in every local government;
- Construction of a mini Sport Centre/Stadium in each Local Government
- Construction of a modern abattoir;
- Construction of a modern market and/or rehabilitation of an existing one;
- Construction of official residence for the following:
- Divisional Police Officer (DPO)
- Magistrate
- Local Government INEC Officer
- Head of SSS in the Local Government
- Construction of a rest house
Let me also state that with all these activities going on in the local Governments, it is now mandatory for the L.G. Chairman to reside in their communities.
IMO STATE CIVIL SERVICE REFORM AND COMMERCIALIZATION PROGRAMME
Globally, the civil service provides the organizational framework for the pursuit of the development agenda of nations and the efficiency of the bureaucracy determines to a large extent the level of success recorded in the realization of development goals and priorities. Unfortunately, our country has suffered the debilitating consequences of largely ineffective public service.
With a population of over five million Citizens, over 70% of the resources of Imo State have been spent over the years in the form of salaries and sundry overheads incurred in maintaining a civil service bureaucracy run by a little over twenty thousand (20,000) employees. As a result, we have limited resources to commit to capital projects that should provide the infrastructure to support the State’s economic growth and development.
This administration is determined to reverse this ugly trend and have embarked on a number of reform initiatives in the civil service and a radical programme of commercialization of the activities with the Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs). Through this programme, we intend to re-engineer the activities in the MDAs by aligning them to practices that would support their evolution into commercially oriented entities focused on maximizing their revenue generation potentials and making them self-sustaining. Our goal in the foreseeable future is to generate enough revenues through the commercialization programme to enable the State pay the salaries and overheads in the Civil Service, thus leaving federally allocated revenue for the financing of capital projects.
Under this arrangement, we shall embark on a comprehensive Capacity Building (retraining) programme for our civil servants as well as computer literacy/appreciation courses that are meant to enhance their skills.
In the foreseeable future, we expect the Ministries, Agencies or Parastatals to embark on or manage commercial ventures under their mandate and generate revenues for their operations.
For instance, it is interesting to note that the Concorde Hotel has been handed over to the Ministry of Culture and Tourism under this dispensation. For a hotel which has never been run profitably and where the state is alleged to be owing the former Managers, RHAS Nig. Ltd., the sum of N450 million after spending a whooping N850 million of state funds to renovate the Hotel, it is gratifying to note that the Hotel has made a profit of N45 million since the inception of this government. With this change in its fortunes, we expect the Ministry of Culture and Tourism to be in a position to pay its February 2012 Salaries without recourse to the Accountant General for funding.
The path we have chosen is going to be very challenging but I am determined to provide the required leadership to implement this radical reform and ensure that we provide critical infrastructure and lay the foundation for a modern Imo State.
FOURTH TIER OF GOVERNMENT
Fellow citizens and distinguished guests, permit me at this point to share with you our plans to introduce a fourth tier of government – the Community Government model.
As you may be aware, there have been attempts in the past to bring governance and its benefits closer to the people with minimal success. Such efforts have not been very productive owing to faulty structure and assumptions upon which such models have been built as well as the failure of such political systems to engender confidence in the people and gain their unalloyed support for the pursuit of set developmental goals. And yet it is very important that we bring government closer to the people.
Following a review of the existing governance structures and their shortcomings, this administration has decided to introduce a fourth tier of government–the Community Government–anchored on Communities within the local government system. To qualify to be considered as such communities must have a population of at least 5,000 residents, an administrative building with at least ten (10) offices, a church, a secondary school and such other requirements that may be specified in the enabling law. Each Government shall be run by a Community Government Council made up of the following persons:
i. The Traditional Ruler
ii. The President General
iii. Women Leader
iv. Youth Leader
v. Community Speaker.
A Law would soon be enacted by the House of Assembly specifying the structures, roles and obligations of the Community Government. Under the law, it is envisaged that there shall be elections to choose those to serve in the Community Government Council (CGC) on a non-party basis. These elections are billed for April, 2012.
When operational, these Councils shall receive subvention from the State and Local Government and their administrative structures shall be run by employees transferred from the Local Governments. Such Employees are expected to reside in their villages/Communities.
Under the planned dispensation, health centres, maternities and such other facilities shall be transferred to the Community Government for management.
This is a novel idea which we consider revolutionary and capable of transforming our local communities into centres of development. Given its benefits and the development and transformative agenda upon which it is built, we shall require the support and co-operation of all citizens in this journey towards self government. We remain confident that a successful implementation of this governance model would redefine the process of engagement of the people in governance and open a new vista in our efforts at developing our rural communities.
REDUCING THE COST OF GOVERNANCE
My dear Imolites, one of the biggest setbacks to the development of our nation has been the unusually high and largely unjustified cost of governance. Unfortunately, our State was a classic example of how resources could be frittered away by the excessive overheads and a plethora of unwholesome practices fueled, to a large extent, by greed and avarice.
In pursuing our development agenda, we continue to be mindful of the need to utilize available resources in a prudent manner so that we may maximize the use of such scarce resources in the pursuit of our development goals. This has contributed a great deal to the implementation of ongoing projects by blocking leakages and reducing waste to the barest minimum.
We have also renegotiated some of the contracts we inherited and terminated a few others. Through a painstaking review process and renegotiation, we have saved in excess of N15billion from three major road contractors in the State and revoked the contract for the construction of the Ahiajoku Convention Centre where the sum ofN1.3billion out of N2.3billion contract sum has already been paid for a project that should cost far less.
May I now share with you, fellow citizens and distinguished guests, some of the concerns I have for our State arising largely from the activities of some of our sons and daughters in the contest for political power in the State.
At the conclusion of the last general elections, the former Governor, Chief Ikedi Ohakim publicly announced that he was not going to challenge the outcome of the elections in court. According to him, this was to save my administration the distraction that he had suffered following the several election petitions that he had to contend with. This decision was hailed by our citizens and friends as commendable moreso given the massive support which I got from the people of the State during the elections.
Unfortunately, this promise was broken as the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) went to the Election Petitions Tribunal to challenge the outcome of the gubernatorial elections. In a unanimous decision of the tribunal, the petition was dismissed as lacking in merit.
Following that decision, the PDP, in exercise of its constitutional right, proceeded to the Court of Appeal seeking several reliefs. Again the appeal was dismissed in a unanimous decision of five-member panel of Justices.
Again the party has approached the Supreme Court seeking to upturn the decisions of the lower courts.
Whilst we respect the right of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to seek redress in the law courts, we are concerned about some disturbing signals being received that clearly point to a conspiracy against this government and the people of Imo State by external forces working in concert with some elements within the PDP. They now boast that they would stop this government at the Supreme Court by using all forces at their disposal.
As they embark on this journey, may I remind them of the historical significance of the election that brought me to office. For the first time in Igboland, the people defended their votes and made sure their voices were heard through the ballot box. This was contrary to the misconception and belief that Igbos could accept any one, even if imposed on them, as their leader. That singular event of my election has changed that perception and has indeed provided clear indications on how the people would conduct themselves in future elections.
In the same way that they defended their votes, I am convinced that Imo Citizens would not accept the return and imposition of a discredited leadership through the backdoor. May I counsel those behind these moves to allow justice take its proper course.
Today Nigeria is confronted with several security challenges and we should not allow forces of destabilization open another theatre of conflict in our land. Our State is now on the path of massive infrastructural development in practically all sectors of the State’s economy and the people cannot afford the return of the nightmares of the recent past.
Despite the machinations of these forces of destabilization and darkness, I remain a firm believer in the ability of our judicial system to ensure that justice is dispensed without fear or favour, and that the apex court of our land shall do its part with equity, justice and fairness as guiding principles.
May I therefore appeal to our citizens and friends who have been concerned about these developments to remain steadfast and resolute in their support for this administration. Let me also advise our leaders at the Federal level who may have been approached by former Governor Ikedi Ohakim for assistance to unseat this government, that he is our son and we know his character.
I urge these leaders who have signed on to this agenda to remove this administration to have a rethink and retrace their footsteps. Rather than celebrate gossips and innuendoes, they should recognize the work that this administration is doing to transform our dear state.
What this administration has achieved in nine (9) months was not accomplished by all the previous governments that ruled the state in the past twenty (20) years.
It is not my intention to remind Governor Ohakim of the Reverend Father that he derobed and flogged in the government house or Journalist Samuelson that he striped naked and equally flogged in similar circumstances. And to those who are marshalling forces to fight this government with Chief Ikedi Ohakim as the arrow head, may I remind them that the people of this state shall be united in their resistance to their plans to return the state to that better forgotten period of infamy.
Also Governor Ohakim prides himself as having a grip on the Presidency and Judiciary. The Presidency is the collective commonwealth of the Nigerian people, just as the Judiciary remains the last hope of the common man and he should desist from his numerous antics that will only succeed in tarnishing the image of the Presidency and bringing that hallowed institution into disrepute.
For me as Owelle Rochas Okorocha, Governor of Imo State, the only grip I have is on the people of Imo State to whom I have made a solemn pledge to serve with my whole heart. And to God Almighty who gives power and knows the end even from the beginning. I remain certain in my belief that with God who indeed spoke through the people of Imo State in the last general election and made me their Governor, nothing is impossible. This too, shall come to pass.
Thank you and God bless you all.
OWELLE ROCHAS OKOROCHA OON
Governor of Imo State
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