Okorocha inaugurates 305 GLOs, unfolds plan to spend N5bn on rural transformation

Governor Rochas Okorocha, has inaugurated three hundred and five (305) Government Liaison Officers (GLOs) representing each of the 305 INEC Wards in the state, stating that their primary assignment is to drive the government’s policies and programmes in their respective wards for progress, development and growth.  He also announced that N5billion has been set aside for rural transformation which the GLOs would anchor.

Inaugurating the GLOs, today at the Imo International Convention center (IICC) Owerri, governor Okorocha said that strong leadership must be established at the community (ward) level to drive the development of the area remarking that, “today there is the challenge of downturn in our economy as a result of dwindling oil prices. There is unemployment and insecurity and to address all these, the governor cannot stay in the Government House and know what is happening in every ward and community. Therefore, the need to share some of my powers with you is inevitable. We will not share the chorus of under-development because of dwindling economy but we shall all rise to build the Imo of our collective dreams and aspirations.”

The event coincided with the celebration of 40^th anniversary of Imo State having been created on 3^rd February 1976.

Okorocha in group photo with service chiefs during the celebrating to mark Imo @ 40 (photo by Jerome Onwusonye)

Speaking further at the occasion, Governor Okorocha said that the GLOs are the pivots on which the wheel the government’s policies will rotate adding that the State government has set aside the sum of N5b for the purpose of the projects in the wards to be driven by the GLOs.  

Said he; “Go back to your ward and work out how to create Jobs. Take charge of the eco-system.  The GLOs are all challenged to create all the enabling environment for transformation. You are the flagship of the essence of democracy.  We shall make the state the hob of the economic drive of the south-east and by extension, Nigeria.”

“We are also concerned with the issue of security.  The GLOs should liaise with Traditional rulers and others to review the issue of Imo Community Watch.  At 40 we intend to do things differently to move Imo state forward.  Imo is not a fool at 40.  Therefore, we are here gathered to improve the steps and legs of Imo state. GLOs are created to restructure the wards for greatness”.

“They are to ensure that we develop the resources of the various wards and create jobs and ensure development of the wards.  You can call the GLOs mini-governors.  Today, we have challenges of all types hence the need to decentralize power for result and to build Imo of our collective dream.”

“We want to create Jobs and boost the economy of the state.  The GLOs with the Traditional Rulers and others working together can make a big difference.  This will also help us to fish out new leaders because if one can fix his ward, he or she can also fix the local government and state.”

Owelle Okorocha charged them to look inwards and create more economic activities in their localities.  He reminded them that the Rescue Mission Government made bold promises of jobs, factories and industries, in its campaign manifesto and this cannot be achieved without a proper structure upon which the wheel of job rotates, pointing out that they must think outside the box to create at least 100 jobs for 100 youths in each ward within the shortest possible time.

GLOs from the 305 wards seated at the IICC shortly before their inauguration (photo by Jerome Onwusonye)

He equally empowered them to oversee the activities of their wards and make recommendations of who should be appointed for certain positions for the purpose of job creation which must be agro-based for now.

The governor announced that the money “set aside is to sponsor agricultural activities in the wards with the purpose of creating wealth.  Our strength now lies in agriculture since oil is no longer a good story for Nigeria, we must diversify our economy and the first point of call should be agriculture.”

Governor Okorocha,the Wife Nnneoma Okorocha,speaker Hon. Acho Ihim in a group photograph with chairman Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) Rev. Stanford Nworgu  at a prayer session in celebration of Imo @40.

Responding, the Deputy Governor who is equally a GLO, Prince Eze Madumere thanked the governor for the trust reposed in them, promising that with the calibre of people inaugurated as GLOs success is assured.  He equally assured on behalf of his colleagues that within the next 90 days significant impact will be felt at the wards and the government and people of the state will be proud for giving them the opportunity to serve in that capacity.