2014 ‘Xmas: Imo govt workers commence 2 weeks holiday

The Imo State Governor, Owelle Rochas Okorocha has declared December 19, 2014 to January 5, 2015 as holidays for Civil Servants in the State as he wished the good people of Imo State a hitch-free Xmas and New Year celebrations.

Owelle Okorocha said this during his live broadcast to Imo people on his achievements and Xmas/New year message at the Government House Owerri.

He assured Imo people and those visiting the State this festive period that all necessary machineries have been put in place to ensure adequate security in all nooks and crannies of the State while he urged all to be of good conduct and help fish out criminals in their localities.

The Governor said ‘there is every reason to celebrate’ as he re

called that the total transformation in all facets of the State in the past 3 years and seven months could not have been possible but for the intervention of God and the insistence of Imo people in electing the leader of their choice in 2011.  

He thanked Imo people for being supportive of the Rescue Mission government as he recalled how the education sector was left to rot due to non payment of teachers salaries, high tuition and dilapidated infrastructure,  but heaved a sigh of relief that today, the story has changed with the 100% free education, in Primary, Secondary and Tertiary Institutions for indigenes and non-indigenes.

Governor Okorocha pointed out that over 322 story buildings have been built in Primary and Secondary schools in the State, opened two campuses of Imo Polytechnic at Orlu and Ehime Mbano, established the Imo Young Scientist School and built ICAPS to give professional training to young graduates just as the Imo European University and the Marine University are nearing completion. “Free education will continue, upon free education I stand.  This government has fought corruption up to 80% and will not relent; if corruption is stopped, education can be free even at the federal level.” he noted.

The Rescue Mission Governor revealed that about 1,800km roads have been constructed in both urban and rural areas of the State with many inland bridges, and new roads created while contract has been awarded for the dualization of Owerri to Akokwa and Okigwe areas.  “The road revolution will be continued until all roads in Imo are tarred” he maintained.

He expressed relief that the insecurity situation which frightened Imo people in the past has ceased and security situation greatly improved following the establishment of the Imo Security Network, Imo Community Watch and the Imo Civil Guard who work in tandem with the Police, SSS and other Security Agencies to maintain peace and orderliness as well as curb criminal activities in the State. 

Owelle Okorocha pointed out that Imo is about the only State paying N20,000 minimum wage to its workers and still maintains regular payment of salaries and have not recorded any strike action by workers, adding that the dress code of the workforce is a thing of pride while the State Secretariat has been renovated, offices equipped with computers and furniture for greater output.

The Governor noted that the creation of the Community Government Council (CGC) has given every community a sense of belonging and put to rest all leadership crises as well as foster economic development.  Describing the “CGC as the government of the people, by the people, for the people and with the people,” he said people run government businesses for their communities and expressed hope that the CGC initiative will be perfected and made the centre of government activities in the near future.  He commended the Traditional Rulers and other CGC officials for making wise use of the funds given them to acquire lands for palm planting as well as carry out renovation works and other maintenance services in schools, Council Headquarters, etc.

He enumerated Infrastructural achievements of his government to include building of a standard Government House, the Douglas House, Twin House, Blue Chapel for worship and tourist centre, the Centenary towers, Akachi, and a host of others, as he added, “I invite all Imolites to come and see what God has done for us in infrastructure.

He said all land compensations have been met with and more lands acquired for developmental projects, adding that the revamped Avutu poultry has made initial sales of over 10,000 birds while more are ready for sale this season.  Also the building of the Obowo International Market, Okigwe Shopping Mall, Relief Market Shopping Mall speak volumes of rapid development in the State while Ngor Okpala and Ohaji areas now enjoy electric supply from the national grid with solar energy street lights installed in the State.

The Rescue Mission Governor pointed out that over 25,000 youths have been employed into the Youth Must Work Programme, some engaged in the Imo Young Engineers Corp (IYEC) as well as the empowerment of Ohaji/Egbema youths, among others.

While commending members of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Imo for electing him as the Party’s flag bearer in the 2015 elections, Owelle Okorocha said APC is in full support of General Buhari as the Presidential candidate whom he said ‘has all it takes to stop insurgence in Nigeria.’

While calling for massive support from Imo people, he called on parents to guard their youths from being used as political thugs in the 2015 elections.

Governor Okorocha used the occasion to invite all Imo children to join him as he takes them round the city in celebration of the yuletide while he assured workers in the State of Christmas packages.