Okorocha calls for support from the Judiciary to boost IGR for Imo

Okorocha in handshake with Imo State State Chief Judge, Justice Pascal Nnadi during the latter's swearing-in ceremony 

Governor Rochas Okorocha has called for support from magistrates in Imo State to assist the State government in increasing its internally generated revenue.

He made this call while addressing a large group of magistrates during a meeting held at the Government House Owerri, recently.

Speaking during the meeting, Governor Okorocha said that an increase in the State’s IGR will complement the dwindling federal allocation to the State and enable it carry out its statutory duties. He expressed regrets that the magistrates have been performing their duties under deplorable conditions and presented them with official vehicles to enable them discharge their duties effectively. He announced plans to rehabilitate and renovate dilapidated courts to make them conducive for the dispensation of justice. 

Okorocha disclosed other measures to be taken by government to enhance their working condition to include a decision by the government that every magistrate will live within the locality where his or her court is located adding that magistrates who do not have police orderlies will have theirs as the commissioner of Police has been requested to cooperate with them in that regard. He assured them that government will do its best to encourage and motivate them to discharge their functions effectively and bring to justice those who contravene basic laws of the State including sanitation laws.

Speaking further at the meeting, the governor expressed government’s intention to rationalize the workforce by flushing out workers who are not serious with their duties and strengthen the workforce by engaging new hands. He expressed happiness that the campaign promises he made four years ago including free education, building of schools and hospitals, construction of roads and provision of infrastructure were fulfilled and pledge to effectively implement his 2015 promises of building factories and industries and provision of jobs for the unemployed youths.

Earlier in a speech, the State Chief Judge, Justice Pascal Nnadi thanked governor Okorocha for his effort to uplift the judiciary and enhance the welfare of magistrate in the State, describing it as steps in the right direction.

Justice Nnadi expressed confidence that the measures embarked upon by government will solve problems militating against smooth dispensation of justice in the State and pleaded with the governor to ensure that the backlog of salaries, running costs, imprest allocations, and power bills are cleared while members of the judiciary would appreciate it if they are assisted in hosting the national conference of their organization scheduled for this month.

Imo Govt unveils new vehicle plate numbers for top govt officials

The Imo State Governor, Owelle Rochas Okorocha has unveiled new vehicle plate numbers for use by serving members of the Imo State House of Assembly and other top government officials.

Speaking during a meeting with the representatives of security agencies held at the Government House Owerri today, Governor Okorocha said that government have decided to check the unlawful use of tinted glasses in vehicles of unauthorized persons, pointing out that some people who use tinted glass vehicles use them to convey kidnappers or carry kidnapped victims.

He showed them samples of the new plate number and advised that anyone with tinted glasses should please remove them.

Said he; “We have introduced a new Government House plate number and these plate numbers will only be for those who are entitled to it legally. Therefore, all previous plate numbers are no longer legal and anyone found with them will be dealt with according to law.”

He frowned at incessant and unauthorized blaring of siren by some public office holders, pointing out that even the notorious kidnapper named ‘Vampire’ also moved about with siren.

  

He advised all those who use sirens illegally to dismantle them or their vehicles will be confiscated while the owner would be prosecuted according to law.  

According to him, the numbers contained in the new Government House number plates start with figure rather than IMGH,  adding that “as long as you are not a House member or Government House Official, you are not entitled to use government plate numbers, as they are reserved for serving House members and top government officials.”

He said government has noticed that the wrong use of Government House numbers has created a lot of problem in the system.

Okorocha launches ‘Niger Delta Security Network’ in Imo

Governor Okorocha inspecting the 'Guard of Honour' of the Niger Delta Security Network during their inauguration yesterday

Imo state Governor, Owelle Rochas Okorocha has launched a security outfit in Imo State known as the ‘Niger-Delta Security Network’ aimed at fighting cultism, vandalization of oil pipelines, kidnapping and other heinous crimes in the Oil Producing Areas of the State including Ohaji, Egbema and Oguta.

Inaugurating the security outfit at the Government House, Owerri yesterday, Governor Okorocha said it takes the indigenes of an area to effectively fight crimes in a given place since no criminal operation could succeed without the cooperation or information from an insider or someone who knows the terrain.

The governor reminded them that they should subject themselves to the authorities of the Police and other higher security agencies in the State and should not operate like a counter force to these security agencies.

His words “your duty is to find out the hiding places of these cultists or miscreants who have been terrorizing the oil producing areas of Ohaji/Egbema and Oguta, flush them out and hand them over to the law enforcement agencies for prosecution within three months.”

The governor continued “there are 250 of you who have been recruited to serve in the security network.  You must not involve in any criminal activity yourself.  If any of you is caught in any criminal activity, he goes to jail.  You must be disciplined.  You have been called to serve your people.  That is why all of you are from the mentioned oil producing areas.  We believe that those carrying out these cult activities are your people.  You flush them out so that the majority of your people shall enjoy peace.”

He continued, “Recently, the Inspector General of Police emphasized on the need for community policing and even before now, we have been on that page.  It takes those who know the criminals to apprehend them.  The rate of cultism and other crimes in Ohaji, Egbema and Oguta has become worrisome to the government.  And we have decided to take the bull by the horn.”

“The activities of these cultists have resulted to the death of innocent people and some Traditional Rulers have fled their homes to avoid being killed by these cultists. The State government will no longer tolerate the activities of such miscreants.  We are going to do all within our power to check the ugly situation.  That is the reason for setting up this security network” the governor added.

Governor Okorocha also directed that 16 area offices built for the organization be released to it and also released the sum of four Million Naira to the outfit to enable it cushion the harsh effect of the rigorous training they passed through while in camp. 

He gave the Imo Niger Delta Security Network 90 days to bring the activities of the cultists under check and warned that members of the outfit will be dissolved if they do not achieve the set target within the stipulated period.

In his speech earlier, the Director General of the organization, Dr. Justice Harcourt thanked the governor for the interest he has shown in the development of the Niger Delta area of the State including the appointment of a son of the area, Engineer Kingsley Uju as the Deputy Chief of Staff and the establishment of a Marine University in Osemotto. 

Dr. Harcourt requested for the opening of their head office in Owerri, the provision of vehicles, equipment, radio sets and torch lights for use by the security me

Skye Bank seeks partnership with Imo govt, donates 4 Hilux vans to fight crime

Gov okorocha receives keys from Mr Chinedu Ochiagha, Regional Director of Sky Bank Plc to four Hilux Buses donated by the Bank at Govt. House, Owerri.

A delegation of senior officials of Skye bank PLC led by their regional Director, Mr. Chinedu Ochiagha have donated four (4) Hilux vans to the Imo State government in a bid to assist in the fight against crime and other social vices in the State.

The company made this donation when its officials visited Governor Okorocha at the Government House Owerri recently.

Speaking while receiving the vans, Governor Okorocha decried the alarming rate of cultism in the State and warned that the State government will deal ruthlessly with any person who engages in cult activities in the institutions of learning or any part of the State.

He condemned a situation where children of fifteen (15) years and below involved themselves in cult activities due to association with peer groups and warned that parents whose underage children engage in such activities would be held responsible for their acts.

He charged parents and heads of institutions to monitor their children and wards to avoid engaging in cult activities and to ensure proper home training for them.

The governor thanked the Skye Bank for donating the four hilux vans to the State government in furtherance of its campaign against crime and assured them of government’s preparedness to partner with the bank in other areas.

Earlier while presenting the vans to the governor, the regional Director of Skye Bank Plc, Mr. Chinedu Ochiagha said the bank appreciated the efforts of the State government in combating  crime and other vices in the State and expressed their willingness to partner with government in other areas.

Foreign investors storm Imo to build power plants, car assembly plant, others

Governor Okorocha in group picture with the visiting foreign investors

A group of foreign investors, including Senator Charles Anthony Muse from Maryland, USA, industrialists from India, Israel, China, Turkey, South-Korea, England, Vietnam and South Africa were in Owerri the Imo State capital on Monday to attend the State government-sponsored Trade and Investment Forum held at the Imo State Trade and Investment Centre complex, formerly Ahiajoku Convention Centre, New Owerri.

Declaring open the Forum, Governor Okorocha said that his trips abroad aimed at attracting foreign investors to the State have started yielding positive results, adding that the first set of investors have arrived the State to begin work on various projects.

According to him, the visiting South African industrialists will build community power plants to supply electricity to communities, while the investors from India will establish vehicle assembly plants in the State.

He said the South Korean industrialists will develop the Oguta Blue Lake of Treasure into a world-class tourism complex and build 1000 apartments adjacent the Imo Trade and Investment Centre while the team from Israel will remodel and upgrade the Avutu Poultry into a mega-poultry complex capable of attaining more than ten times its present production capacity.

Speaking further at the occasion, the governor said that the team from England will reconstruct the Fishing Farms in Onuimo into a multi-million Naira fish production complex and a sister team from the same country will remodel and reactivate the Okigwe water complex to supply water to Okigwe zone and its environs.

Others the governor identified among the participants at the forum were Vietnamese investment consortium who will transform the Imo Palm Plantation complex to a production capacity more than three times what it used to be, and a prominent Nigerian industrialist and indigene of Imo State, Dr .Innocent Nzuma who will establish a 1,600 megawatt power plant to boost electricity supply in the State.

Owelle Okorocha recalled that in his first tenure in office he fulfilled his promise of free education programme and provided adequate health care facilities through the construction of 27 modern hospital complexes across the State and pledged to ensure that his 2015 election promise of industrializing the State and providing employment to the unemployed in the State is accomplished in like manner.

He acknowledged the need for the private sector to assist his

administration in industrializing the State, describing Imo as being endowed with arable and fertile land for agricultural projects as well as able-bodied men and women that can provide adequate manpower for the programme.  He assured foreign and local investors that the State government will provide land, accommodation and transport in addition to assisting them in processing their residency visas and all other immigration formalities required to enable them establish in the State.

He described the convening of the Imo Trade and Investment Forum as the beginning of the journey to industrialize Imo State.

Speaking earlier, the Chairman of the Imo Trade and Investment Forum and indigene of the State, Dr. Innocent Nzuma said that with the enormous human and industrial potentials of the State, coupled with abundant natural resources and a very large market, Imo State would become the industrial pride of the South East.  Dr. Nzuma advised Governor Okorocha to ensure that his administration provides the instruments and enabling environment needed for the investors to succeed.

Nzuma who is the Managing Director of Nzuma Group, Abuja said he has already established one power plant in Egbema, Imo State and is ready to accomplish the installation of the 1,600 mega-watts power generation plant in the State, adding that he will also venture in agro-business in partnership with his Ukrainian counterparts.

He called on all credible foreign and local investors to come and partner with Imo State government in its laudable industrialization programme which will grow the economy of the State and that of Nigeria at large and also facilitate meaningful provision of employment to the youths in the State.

He said Imo state constitutes a large market because of its position as central link to Onitsha, Aba, Umuahia and Portharcourt and described the industrialization programme of Governor Okorocha as a great stride.

In a keynote address captioned, “Process for Trade and Investment in Imo State, the need for public-private-partnership,” the National President of the Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (MAN), Dr. Ray Jacobs regretted that previous government’s industrialization programmes could not succeed because of their failure to effectively involve the private sector in their implementation.

Dr. Jacobs stressed the need for the State government to provide credible and workable industrial blue-print that will ensure adequate participation of the private sector and ensure that corruption is reduced to the barest minimum, if the industrialization programme is to succeed.

The MAN President who is an indigene of Mgbidi in Imo State harped on the need for government to provide adequate security for the citizens as well as foreigners.

In a remark, Senator Charles Anthony Muse who is also an industrialist from Maryland, USA, described Owelle Okorocha as a blessed by God to do, exploit and accomplish landmark projects.  He assured the Governor of the commitment of industrialists from the United States accomplishing his administration’s industrialization programme.

In a vote of thanks, the Speaker of Imo State House of Assembly, Chief Acho Ihim announced the commitment of the State legislators to foster rapid industrial development in the State and commended the State Governor Owelle Okorocha for his developmental strides.

Okorocha commends Obama over plan to assist Nigeria in war against insurgency

Governor Okorocha in hand shake with President Obama at the White House in Washington

The Imo State governor, Owelle Rochas Okorocha has commended President Barak Obama of the United States of America for the decision of the American government to support Nigeria in the fight against Boko Haram.  

Speaking during a parley with Journalists at the Government House, Owerri shortly after his return from the U.S.A, Governor Okorocha said that the government of the United States would want to support Nigeria in many ways including training and equipment, adding that the visit offered President Buhari an opportunity to meet with different groups such as Bill Gate group.

Said he;  “The American government has agreed to work with us and the World Bank is willing to assist. The Bill Gate Foundation is coming, the issue of polio was also discussed…”

  

Speaking further at the occasion, Owelle Rochas Okorocha noted that the relationship between President Obama and President Muhammadu Buhari was quite cordial, adding that the governors who accompanied President Buhari to the visit also used the opportunity to make contacts that would enable them develop their various States.

He described the outing of President Muhammadu Buhari to the United States of America as one of the best outings any Nigerian government will make to the USA.

He commended the Judiciary for giving a fair hearing on the case at the governorship Election Petition Tribunal sitting in Owerri, Imo State between him and the candidate of People’s Democratic Party (PDP).

Said he; ”I want to commend the Judiciary for upholding Justice in the country. I am the common man in this case because right from the election period I was the most oppressed governor.”

On the issues of strike embarked upon by workers in the state, the governor expressed dissatisfaction with workers; adding that before his trip to USA, he reached an agreement with workers in Imo state and wondered why they should go contrary to the said agreement.  

He described the strike as politically motivated and urged workers to resume work.  He reminded them that throughout the 4 year period of his first term in office, his administration paid workers salaries as at when due.

Tribunal dismisses Ihedioha's pettition against Okorocha

 Emeka Ihedioha

The Election Petition tribunal sitting in Owerri, the Imo state capital on Wednesday, dismissed the petition filed by Hon. Emeka Ihedioha, the governorship candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, in the April 2015 governorship election in the state.

Dismissing the petition, Chairman of the tribunal, Justice David Wyon agreed with the contention of the lead Counsel to Governor Rochas Okorocha, Chief Adeniyi Akintola(SAN) that the petitioner abandoned the petition having failed to do all he was expected to do after filing including the payment of the approved fee within the required time-frame.

Counsel to Governor Okorocha, Chief Akintola had filed a motion to that effect, asking the tribunal to strike out Hon. Ihedioha’s petition on ground of the serious flaws in the whole exercise and quoted extensively both the electoral law and the constitution vis-à-vis certain legal authorities to back up the motion.

Addressing Journalists at the end of the verdit, lead-Counsel to Governor Okorocha, Chief Akintola(SAN), said the petition was clear and was dismissed for running short of the provisions of the electoral Act, adding that the petition at the tribunal had come to an end, although he said the petitioner has the right to go for appeal.

According to Chief Akintola the “petitioner filed on the 23^rd June, and later went on July 3, 2015 to pay, which was clearly outside the 7 days prescribed by paragraph 18 of first schedule of the Electoral Act, then we latched on that, and then the question was whether the letter for pre-hearing notice without payment was valid and whether the payment made on the 3^rd of July will validate the pre-notice that was submitted.  No valid pre-learning notice was filed”.

He also said that the service of the 3^rd to 37 respondents in the APC secretariat had to do with the fact that majority of the respondents were members of the PDP, and since they were members of the PDP, could the same party sue them in an election petition.  the answer is no since you can not sue yourself, adding that they waited for them until the people responded and admitted being PDP chairmen at various LGAs in Imo.

Mr. Akintola said the petition was dismissed on points of law. 

Also reacting to the Judgment, the Deputy Governor of the state, Prince Eze Madumere described the dismissal of Hon. Ihedioha’s petition as legal victory for Imo people and a confirmation of Imo people’s mandate given to His Excellency in the April governorship election.

Prince Madumere intoned that the governor’s victory was ordained by God and whatever God ordains cannot be upturned by man, adding that what the court did was in line with the mandate of Imo people to the governor and the wish of God for Imo people.

South-East governors disown Radio Biafra

Governor Okorocha ( 2nd from left), in group picture with the visiting governors from other South-East States

South East governors met in Owerri, Imo State today to deliberate on the way forward for the people and governments of the geo-political zone.

During the meeting, the governors unanimously disowned a radio station which goes by the name, Radio Biafra. According to them, Radio Biafra does not have the endorsement of the South-East governors and as such, should be ignored by the people of the South East zone.

The meeting which lasted for about three hours had in attendance, the governors of Abia state, Dr Okezie Ikpeazu, Enugu State, Chief Ifeanyi Ugwuanya, Ebonyi State, represented by the deputy governor, Chief Kelechi Igwe and the host governor, Owelle Rochas Okorocha.  

Briefing journalists after the meeting, Governor Okorocha of Imo State said that the South East governors have come to realize the need for them to come together and work in the overall interest of the people of the zone.

According to him, the governors agreed to unite for the purpose of fighting insecurity in the South East especially the cases of kidnapping, cultism in schools, baby factories, and other crimes.

They also deliberated on the agitations against the Boko Haram prisoners in Anambra State and appealed to the federal government to take a second look at the issue since it is creating a lot of worries.

Furthermore, the governors agreed to retain Enugu as their headquarters where they would have an office for South East governors’ forum.

Governor Okorocha also said that the South East governors have resolved to have meeting with Mr President to discuss what the present administration will do for the people of South - East zone

The Forum also agreed to promote economic activities in the zone following the economic situation now in Nigeria and how it affects the people of the South East.  And assured that an economic hub would soon be in place and a committee to that effect has been set up and to be chaired by the governor of Abia State.

The Anambra State governor, Chief Willie Obiano was absent from the meeting.

Okorocha calls for use of common language by W/African countries.

Governor Okorocha flanked by Mrs. Maria Do Ceo Silva Monteiro and other officials of  the ECOWAS Community Court of Justice in a group photo

The Imo state Governor, Owelle Rochas Okorocha has called for the use of a common language outside French and English to unite African nations.

He made this call yesterday when a delegation of ECOWAS Community Court of Justice paid him a courtesy visit at the Government House, Owerri.

Speaking during the occasion, he described the ECOWAS Court of Justice as a landmark achievement in the history of ECOWAS activities.

Said he; “…the days when we suffered from colonialism and neo-colonialism in Africa are over and leaders of Africa must show quality leadership.”

According to him, the need for unity among Africans cannot be over-emphasized as it has remained a pivot upon which the success of every nation revolves.

He congratulated the president of the court, Justice Maria Do Ceo Silva Monteiro

for leading the entire ECOWAS court and commended her for making the African women proud.

Speaking further at the occasion, Okorocha expressed optimism that with the emergence of Muhammadu Buhari as the president of Nigeria, the country would no longer be a sleeping giant but shall rise to take its rightful place in Africa.

Earlier in her speech, the president of the ECOWAS Community Court of Justice, Mrs. Maria Do Ceo Silva Monteiro commended the State governor for a warm reception, adding that they were in Imo State for a 12 days working visit as part of the court 7^th retreat.

Okorocha advocates the release of Nigerian prisoners in China

Governor Okorocha receiving a gift from the Consul-General of China, Mr Liu Khan when he paid him a courtesy visit at the Government House, Owerri.

Governor Rochas Okorocha has called on the government of China to review the cases of Nigerians imprisoned in that country to ensure that innocent ones were not punished for offences they did not commit.

He made the call yesterday when the Consul-General of China, Mr Liu Khan paid him a courtesy visit at the Government House, Owerri.

According to him, many Nigerians including Imo people have been languishing in jail in China following reports by some international media outfits. He urged the Chinese government to revisit the cases with a view to releasing the innocent ones.

In his words, “The report we get from the Internet and CNN show that there are so many Nigerians today languishing in jail of China.  I am concerned about Nigerians particularly the people from Imo State and I want to have a working relationship with you to revisit the cases of those imprisoned especially those from my State to make sure the innocent ones are not punished for offences they never committed”

Speaking further during the occasion, Governor Okorocha said that his administration was determined to transform Imo into the China of Nigeria and also approved a business tour for 100 Imo businessmen and industrialists to China for partnership that would enhance the industrial sector of the State. Said he;  “We shall be raising the first 100 businessmen  which I will forward through my Liason Office to your office.  One hundred [100] businessmen that I personally as a governor will sign and guarantee for their business to enable them go to China and do business and come back and go again.  In that case, we begin the gradual technological transfer to our country”.

He said China remains the best partner for the industrialization programme of his administration, and expressed optimism that Imo will succeed as China has excelled in the industrial sector of the economy.

The governor told the Consul-General that Imo State is highly blessed with fertile soil, large quantity of gas deposit and other natural resources coupled with hardworking citizens but lacks the technological know-how to harness such resources to their optimum.

He stressed that Imo has the highest gas deposit in Nigeria with vast fertile soil but needs modern technological equipment to improve on agriculture. “‘Imo is a special State with the highest gas deposit in Nigeria, abundant human resources and education as the key industry, we want to succeed with you in industrialization, we want to know the technological know-how and develop the resources of our land.  Imo people are your best partners in business,” the governor explained.

He also called on the Chinese investors to help develop the Oguta Lake and other areas to boost tourism and industrialization and thanked the Chinese Consul for his willingness to grant China Visa to Nigerians on business trips.

Earlier, the Chinese Consul-General to Nigeria, Mr Liu Khan said his visit to Imo State was to interact with the governor and Imo business group to explore areas of partnership with Imo State and China.

Mr Khan who expressed willingness to encourage bilateral ties between Imo investors and Chinese businessmen, noted that statistics from the Chinese visa office showed that most visa applicants are Igbo people and pointed out that Igbo people have made great contributions to the development of Nigeria.

“The Igbos are not only eager to explore but are inclined to learning and sharing experiences with others” Mr Khan remarked.

The Consul-General recalled that China and Nigeria established diplomatic relationship in 1971 and in 2001 both countries established strategic partnership which has yielded great economic dividends to both countries.  He therefore encouraged Imo people interested in doing business with the Chinese to feel free to apply for China Visas as his office will give necessary assistance to facilitate their trip