Imo state bail-out funds and the tenuousness of ICPC’s wildcat allegations

The last few days have witnessed unprecedented media coverage, both locally and nationally, of allegations by the Independent Corrupt Practices and other related offences Commission, (ICPC) that some states, including Imo, which received bail-out funds failed to apply it appropriately for the payment of workers’ salaries.

An in-depth and dispassionate appraisal of the statement that emanated from the ICPC reveals that it is not only hollow but wishy-washy and banal, much as it lacks investigative empiricism. It is rather disappointing and indeed embarrassing that the anti-graft agency charged with such an onerous responsibility could issue an empty and blanket statement...

Read more -
http://imostategovernment.blogspot.com.ng/p/features.html

Enugu massacre: Rochas condemns killings by Fulani herdsmen, calls on Buhari to intervene

Governor Okorocha

Imo state Governor, Owelle Rochas Okorocha has appealed to President Mohammadu Buhari to intervene as a matter of urgency in the repeated killings  in the South-East by Herdsmen to forestall future occurrence describing the recent killings in Enugu state as very unfortunate and barbaric.

Governor Okorocha spoke while addressing Traditional Rulers in the state to take absolute control of security in their various autonomous communities and to also ensure peaceful co-existence between their people and people from other areas living in their midst, adding that what the country needs at the moment is absolute peace.

Governor Okorocha appealed for calm on the part of both Enugu people in particular and the South-East in general, expressing optimism that President Buhari would address the unfortunate development.

The governor while addressing the Traditional Rulers condemned the attack in Enugu saying that the news of the barbaric attack on some of the sons and daughters of Enugu state came to us as a huge shock

He sympathized with the families who lost their beloved ones and appealed for peace in the region, promising that the government within the region is on top of the matter. He said the nation cannot afford the wanton killings of innocent people, stressing that absolute peace was needed to ensure the protection of lives and property.

Governor Okorocha words “this is an important meeting.  I want to kindly request all of you to take responsibility of security in your domains to ensure peaceful co-existence between Igbos and other Nigerians living in their areas. ”

He continued, “the killings in Enugu state was inhuman and those behind the killings should be made to face the law.  As Traditional Rulers, you are to take charge of security in your autonomous communities. You are now the Chief Security Officers of your communities and you must ensure harmony between your people and others living with them.”

He said, “at this time in the country absolute peace is required.”

Dozens of residents in Uzo-Uwani community in Enugu state were reported to have been killed by rampaging Fulani herdsmen on the morning of Monday 25^th April 2016 while several others were severely injured in the attacks. The herdsmen were reported to have used sophisticated guns, cutlasses and other forms of weapons in the attack.

Imo govt gives 27 patrol vans to state-owned security outfits for community policing

Chief Uche Nwosu (m) handing over the keys of the 27 patrol vans to Mr. Rodney Ajaelu at thte Govt House, Owerri yesterday. 

 

Imo state Governor, Owelle Rochas Okorocha has provided 27 patrol vans to the Commissioner of Public Safety, Mr. Rodney Ajaelu for distribution to the state-owned security agencies for community policing.

Speaking at the Government House, Owerri yesterday while handing over the keys of the vehicles to the Commissioner of Public Safety, Mr. Rodney Ajaelu for distribution to the state-owned security agencies, the governor who was represented at the event by the Chief of Staff, government House, Chief Uche Nwosu, noted that the personnel of the state-owned security bodies had, apart from fishing out criminals from the communities and handing them over to the police, contributed immensely to the drastic reduction of crimes in the state.

According to Chief Nwosu, the government has given them the patrol vans to make them work more than they had done before now, adding that the government’s action was in line with the policy of the Inspector General of Police encouraging Community Policing.

   

He said the Rescue Mission Government in the state would continue to invest heavily in community Policing because the programme has paid off in the state since it was embarked upon with the formation of state-owned security outfits like Imo Security Network and Imo Civil guards, expressing joy too that they have always worked closely with the federal government-owned Security Agencies in the state.

Said he; “Security is very dear to the government as no development can come without security of lives and property of the people first.  This is why the government has deemed it fit to reward gallant performances of some of the personnel of the state-owned security outfits.  Continue to catch the criminals and handing them over to the police.”

He continued, “Also remember that your duty is community policing.  You must know that the main security agencies are the federal government-owned ones.  And you are just assisting them to make their work easier by locating these criminals and letting them know or catching them and handing them over to the federal ones.”

The government also gave cash rewards to certain personnel of the Imo Security Network and Imo Civil Guards who were exceptional in the discharge of their duties.  The band of the Civil Guard also received cash reward for their wonderful outings.

In his vote of thanks, the head of the Imo State Civil Guards, Mr. Ewe Ejifugha commended the state government for motivating them and assured that they would work now like they had never done before to appreciate the goodwill of the government and assuring that the state-owned security outfits would sustain their cordial relationship with the federal government-owned security agencies.

Ololo commiserates with Okwudinma over mother’s demise, charges family to uphold her legacies.

Deputy Chief of Staff, Domestic and Internal Affairs to Imo State Governor, Hon. Mrs Ogechi Ololo has joined other well-meaning Imolites to sympathize with the family of His Royal Highness Eze Samson Okwudinma, Igwe Ohazurumee of Nneato Obibi Ochasi Autonomous Community in Orlu Local Government Area of Imo State over the death of his mother, Late Mrs Ezinne Lolo Virginia Otimkpu Okwudinma.

Speaking during a condolence visit to the family of Eze Okwudinma at the weekend shortly after the deceased was buried, Mrs Ololo appealed to the members of the family to ensure that they go extra mile to uphold the legacies left by their late mother.

The Deputy Chief of Staff described the deceased as one who made great impact on many people that came in contact with through the virtuous life she lived. While consoling the family, Mrs Ololo noted that the exit of a family member is always painful, but encouraged them to take heart because their matriarch lived and died at a ripe age of 95, saying, `it is indeed a celebration of live’.

In her prayers for the family, she asked God to give them long life and good health to live long like their matriarch, adding that every parent desire a befitting burial from their children at the old age.

 Mrs Ololo urged the wife of the Monarch, Ugoeze Shirley Okwudinma, to ensure that no vacuum is created due to the death of their matriarch.

In her response Ugoeze Okwudinma thanked the Deputy Chief of Staff for coming to console them in their period of mournful, saying that her visit and words of encouragement have further strengthened them and lifted their spirit.

Adding his voice the Special Assistant on Protocol to Imo State Governor, Mr. Chukwunonye Iruno said the burial ceremony is a true celebration of live considering the number of years the deceased lived on earth and her level of meaningful contribution to the society.

Other dignitaries who accompanied Mrs Ololo to the condolence visit include  the Special Assistant to the governor on Special Duties, Mrs. Liza Asogha and others too numerous to mention. 

Okorocha meets with leaders of Hausa community over killing of 5 Fulani herdsmen.

 

Governor Rochas Okorocha in a group photograph with leaders of the Hausa community in the South-East zone who met with  him at the Government House Owerri  on Thursday, April 14, 2016 over the murdered Fulani men by criminals. From left: Commander 34 FAB Owerri, Brigadier-General Kay Isiyaku, Alhaji Ardo Saidu Baso (Ardo Fulani South-East), Chief of Staff, Chief Uche Nwosu, Mallam Barau Isiaku, Alhaji Musa Abubakar.  From right:  Alhaji Gidado Siddiki (South-East Chairman Hausa Community) Ardo Saidu Baso (Ardo Fulani, South-East)

Governor Rochas Okorocha has met with leaders of the Hausa community in the South-East zone over the dead Fulani men believed to have been killed by criminals, with the governor assuring them of their safety and appealing to them to remain peaceful.

The meeting which took place today at the Government House, Owerri also saw the family members of the dead Fulani men in attendance with the governor disclosing that two of those who masterminded the killings had been arrested. He assured them that the culprits would be made to face the full wrath of the law.

Said he; “Those who carried out the killings did not target the Fulanis alone.  They also killed two Igbo men whose corpses were also exhumed with the bodies of the Fulanis. Criminals carried out the killings.  And those arrested will be treated as criminals. ”

He continued, “you should not see the incident as a targeted attack on the Fulanis because evidence from the exhumed bodies indicate that two Igbos were among the bodies.  Two of the culprits have been apprehended and will be made to face the consequences of their action.  There will be no hiding place for the rest of the hoodlums.”

The governor was full of praise for the Hausa community for not taking retaliatory actions, and urged them to join hands with the government in the fight against crime.  He told the Hausa community in the zone that their safety is of paramount importance to the governors in the South-East zone.

His words “I commiserate with all of you over the recent murder of five Fulani herdsmen within the Imo/Abia border.  Few days ago, I was in Abia state to meet with the governor of that state who is my brother and we have agreed to put resources together to ensure that such ugly incident does not happen again.  We have decided to check the activities of criminals in the border areas.”

Governor Okorocha said though he is an Igbo man, but he was born and brought up in the North and empowered by the West and could not therefore afford to indulge in tribalism. He reiterated that every Nigerian can do business in any part of the country because the country is one.

In his speech at the occasion, the Brigade Commander  for 34 Field Artillery Brigade, Obinze, Brigadier-General Kay Isiyaku who came with the leaders of the Hausa community commended Governor Okorocha for the steps he has taken to ensure that the ugly development did not escalate beyond control and urged the governor to sustain the peace tempo.

Earlier in his address, the leader of the Hausa community in the South-East zone, Alhaji Gidado Siddiki, commended the governor for his peace  initiatives and also asked the governor to ensure steady peace between them and their host communities. He stressed that although they might have different cultural backgrounds, all Nigerians are one.

Alhaji Siddiki said the actions of the governor since the incident happened have helped a lot, adding that if not the governor’s early intervention the problem would have gone out of hand.

Also present at the meeting were top government officials including the Chief Of Staff, Government House, Owerri, Chief Uche Nwosu and the Deputy Chief Of Staff, Government House, Owerri, Mrs Ogechi Ololo 

Okorocha moves to fortify Imo economy, establishes committee on Payroll Management System

Governor Okorocha in  handshake with the DGM/zonal head, Imo/Abia zenith bank plc, Dr. GOC Okenwa, after his  inauguration as member of steering committee for Imo state Automated Workforce Identity Verification  and Payroll Management System  on Friday April 8, 2016.

Imo State Governor, Owelle Anayo Rochas Okorocha, has stated his readiness to strengthen the economy of the state and stop all forms of financial sharp practices carried out by civil servants in collaboration with some commercial banks in the state.

Governor Okorocha made this known to the public during the official inauguration of the steering committee on Imo State Automated Workforce Identity Verification and Payroll Management System held at the Government House Owerri at the weekend.

The governor who ordered the closure of all unauthorized accounts in the state during the inauguration ceremony said henceforth all the accounts to be opened in the state will have his approval through the office of the Accountant General and Commissioner of Finance with the bank concerned.

He charged the committee to diligently discharge their duties, stating that such exercise when effectively carried out will help to fish out ghost workers and those who take salaries without working for the government.

According to Governor Okorocha, in the face of dwindling economy, it is a measure that has become necessary in order to fortify the state against economic challenges.

He condemned the attitude of some bankers who connive with civil servants or refused to honour checks as such attitude slows down the activities of government and warned that government will not tolerate such again.     

Displeased with some perceived sharp practices in the civil service system, he admonished civil servants to cooperate with the committee as anyone who tries to be a hindrance or obstruct the process giving accurate data of actual number of workers and correct figures of salaries will be seriously dealt with.

Considering the Imo State wage bill in the face of the current economic recession, he called on all taxable adults to pay their tax regularly as it will  help for the development of the state, pointing out that many states now survive through their Internally Generated Revenue and cutting down over bloated salaries of its work force.

Adding his voice, the Secretary to the Government of Imo State and member of the management committee, Chief George Eche, said that in the face of dwindling economy, it is imperative for the state to save as much as possible and block all avenues of leakages be it at the salary or pension level.

In his response the representative of the commercial banks, Mr Gabriel Okenwa, explained that the automated process is for collection of accurate data of civil servants in the state so as to ensure proper implementation of government policies,

 He expressed conviction that the process will properly sanitize the data base of civil servants in line with existing realities and will ascertain proper placement and entitlements as well as eliminate all forms of fraud in the system.

Governor Okorocha addressing the members of steering committee for Imo state Automated Workforce Identity Verification and Payroll Management System, Dr. GOC Okenwa, Jude Dike, Charlse Anyacho and Gbekeloluwa Nobi, on Friday April 8, 2016 after their inauguration at the Sam Mbakwe Expanded Executive Council Chambers, Government House Owerri.

Okorocha restores pipe-borne-water in Owerri

Regular supply of pipe-borne water in Owerri which had for a long time now been non-existent has finally become a reality.

The Deputy Governor of Imo State, Prince Eze Madumere made this known shortly after an inspection exercise of Imo State Government Water Scheme. In a release signed by his Special Assistant on Media, Uche Onwuchekwa, Prince Madumere said Governor Okorocha is making real his promise to restore the old good days when potable water flowed in Imo State.

He said he was satisfied with the functionality of the plants in all the units of scheme. He disclosed that Imo State can boast of the best water purity analysis equipment globally. He mentioned some of the equipment like UV-Spetro Photo Meter, Turbidi-Meter ad PH Meter.

He revealed that the plan of Owelle Rochas Okorocha Administration is to ensure that there is pipe borne water even in the rural areas of Imo State and called on the people of Imo State to be patient and be rest assured that the Rescue Mission Government of Owelle Rochas Okorocha will not only live up to its electoral promises but will surpass it.

It will be recalled that for over seven years, Imo State lost the basic social amenities especially pipe-borne-water for lack of maintenance and sabotage.

According to the release, Dr. Mathias Buyan, the Chief Executive Officer of Hegen Nigeria Limited, a company that is working in partnership with Imo State Government, over three hundred houses have pipe-borne water. He mentioned Egbu, Orji, Ikenegbu and other areas as having been covered while they are working hard to fix Nekkede.

He however disclosed that part of the challenges since fixing the water plant is the rusted galvanized pipes, which they are working round the clock to replace with healthier plastic pipes.

In the same vein, the Commissioner for Public Utilities and Safety, Mr. Rodney Ajaelu thanked the Deputy Governor for finding time to visit while eulogizing Governor Okorocha for his people-oriented programmes and policies and for keeping to his promises by making Imo an envy among other States in the Federation.

Skyrun commences production of electronic and electrical appliances in Imo

Governor Rochas Okorocha in handshake with the General Manager of Skyrun Corporation China, Mr Guxim, during the visit to Government House, Owerri by the company’s officials on  Monday, April 4, 2016  

A Chinese company called Skyrun has commenced production of pre-paid meters, cables and various categories of electronic appliances in Imo state.

The company had earlier signed an MoU with the Imo state government and has taken over the premises of Rasin paints company at Aboh Mbaise for the production of electronics and electrical materials.

The state Governor, Owelle Rochas Okorocha disclosed this when a delegation of Chinese investors called on him at the Government House, Owerri today. The governor stated that he recently visited China on Skyrun’s invitation and expressed happiness that the visit has started yielding results as the company has already started with the production of pre-paid meters, cables, TV etc at the Rasin Paints premises at Aboh Mbaise.

                                    

Governor Okorocha thanked the Chinese delegation for choosing Imo state for investment, promising that the state will give them all the necessary assistance needed. 

He said, “we shall support you, encourage you and provide all you need to make your investment programme easy.   He continued “while you try to make profits from your investments, we implore you to create jobs for our teeming youths who will be ready and willing to protect your investment.”

The governor promised that the government will help any company willing to invest with fast-tracking the process of registration, immigration, customs, offices, accommodation, transportation etc.  He enjoined the Chinese companies to take advantage of the incentives and invest in the state. 

He equally reminded the investors that Imo state has the highest deposit of gas in the country and this he said has made the Imo industrial park an ideal place to invest in.  He called on them to partner with the state for establishment of fertilizer plant and petro-chemical industries.

Earlier, the leader of the group and the general manager of Skyrun, Mr. Guxin, stated that Skyrun is a state-owned Chinese company that has interest in investing in the state in the areas of oil, gas, electronics and electrical equipment.

He pointed out that the company has already started the production of pre-paid meters, cables, electronics etc in the state and will soon commence work on the Imo/Skyrun refinery which an MoU has already been signed with the Imo state government.

Mr. Guxin thanked governor Okorocha for his genuine intention to develop the state which necessitated his coming to China to woo investors.  He promised that Skyrun and its associates will soon take over the business landscape of the state and create jobs for the teeming youths of the state.

Governor Okorocha in a group Photograph with the Chinese investors who paid him a courtesy visit on Monday April 4, 2016 at the Government House.

With the governor are the Deputy Governor, Prince Eze Madumere, and other government functionaries including Chief Matthew Uwaekwe, National Coordinator NLBC

Okorocha awards contract for the building of Ohaneze Ndi Igbo secretariat

Imo State Governor, Owelle Rochas Okorocha has awarded a contract for the building of a befitting secretariat for Ohaneze Ndi Igbo at its premises located at No. 7 Park Avenue GRA, Enugu with the Contractor asked to finish the job as quickly as possible.

Governor Okorocha while awarding the contract at the weekend, explained that he had undertaken to construct the new secretariat for the Pan- Igbo organization as a private person and not in his capacity as the governor of Imo State, adding that he was doing that as a concerned Igbo citizen, assuring too that with the unity now prevalent in the leadership of Ohaneze, the whole governors of the South-East zone would now begin to show interest in the affairs of the organization.

The governor who had before now inspected the secretariat was not pleased with what he saw on ground and promised to do something about the situation, and it was against the backdrop of that promise, that he awarded the contract for the job to take off immediately.

Governor Okorocha had last month, reconciled the two factions of Ohaneze with Dr. Ralph Obioha and Chief Cray Igariwey being the contending personalities and at the peace meeting at the Government House Owerri, Dr. Obioha denounced his own faction and agreed to work with Chief Igariwey and since then, the situation has been quite commendable.

Governor Okorocha also charged the leaders of Ohaneze to draw a programme that would attract the South-East governors and other prominent Igbos to be in attendance adding that the Igbos must unite for progress and development.

In his speech, the Secretary General of Ohaneze Dr. Joe Nworgu commended Governor Okorocha for appreciating the importance and role of Ohaneze in the life of Ndi-Igbo, stressing that the leadership of Ohaneze and Ndi-Igbo in general would continue to appreciate his gesture and love for his people.

Madumere, Ololo, others score Nneoma Skills Acquisition Centre high

Efforts made by Imo State First Lady Ugo Nneoma Nkechi Okorocha, to establish the Nneoma Skills Acquisition Centre in Owerri Zone and the functional facilities on ground to fully equip the place have received commendations from distinguished personalities in the state and beyond.

Speaking at the premises of the Skill Acquisition Centre for Owerri Zone located at Ulakwu in Owerri-North Local Government Area of Imo State recently, the State Deputy Governor, Prince Eze Madumere eulogized Mrs Okorocha for a job well done, adding that setting up the Skill Acquisition Centre is a right step in the right direction.

The state number two citizen who represented Governor Rochas Okorocha at the event noted that the centre will showcase products that would be needed by big companies in the state and beyond, adding that is a complimented effort to touch lives as its activities are in line with the 2015 campaign promise of the state governor on building an industrial base for job creation.

He opined that the establishment of the Skills Acquisition Centre will enhance emergence of successful entrepreneurs who would offer jobs to many unemployed youths in the state and further strengthened the state economy as the graduates of the centre will be in the frontline of reducing unemployment through job creation.

Madumere who explained that the Nneoma Skill Acquisition Centre is a sacrifice that will take youths out of the streets and further reduce crime rate in the state also cautioned the matriculating students to remain focused and be of good conduct.

Adding her voice, the Deputy Chief Of Staff Domestic Affairs, Mrs Ogechi Ololo, described the Imo State First Lady as a wonderful woman whose projects were geared towards touching the lives of the less privileged ones in the society.

She expressed conviction that the place will make huge positive impact in the lives of the students and further equip them for a life of productivity that will elevate the socio-economic level of the state

Earlier in his speech; the Chairman of the occasion, Prince Alex Mbata described all the projects done by Mrs Okorocha as real and exemplary.

In her address at the occasion, Mrs Okorocha, explained that the centre is her brain child established for the purpose of the skills acquisition and economic empowerment. She said her target is that in no distant time, the graduates of the centre will become self-reliant, independent and great entrepreneurs of repute who would become captains of industries and employers of labour.

She observed that with the present day economic recession, it is not advisable to depend entirely on white collar jobs, hence the necessity for Nneoma Skills Acquisition Centre.

The centre trains students in different skills such as; Computer Training, Fashion and Designing, Hair Dressing and Beauty, Catering, Photography and Cosmetology. It also boasts of highly qualified instructors and who are skilled and are committed to their work.

The event attracted distinguished personalities in Owerri Zone and beyond including; Mr Ifeanyi Opara, MD, CEO Ifeco Communications and Titanic View Hotels, Mr Kachy, Elezieanya, MD, CEO Macol Construction Company. Also, officials of UBA Bank, Heritage Bank, Fidelity Bank, Zenith Bank and other financial institutions were there at the occasion.

Some top politicians from Owerri Zone that graced the occasion were; Engr. Chuks Ololo former TC Chairman of Owerri North and APC Candidate for Owerri Federal Constituency seat in the 2015 polls, Ugwumba Uche Nwosu ,Chief of Staff Government House, former Secretary to Government of Imo State Sir Jude Ejiogu, Majority Leader of Imo State House of Assembly and member for Owerri Municipal, Mr. Lugard  Osuji, Mr. Victor Onyewuchi, member representing  Owerri-West in the State House of Assembly, past and  Serving commissioners, Special Advisers and  Senior Special Assistants.

Deputy Governor, Prince Eze Madumere in handshake with Her Excellency, Nneoma Nkechi Okorocha during the commissioning of Nneoma Acquisition Center in Owerri Zone