The Imo State Elders Council has urged Governor Emeka Ihedioha to do all within its powers to recover all the stolen resources of the state from wherever they can be found.
They made the call in a Press release issued by the leadership of the group comprising the three zones in the state and made available to newsmen.
The statement signed byProf. Francis Dike (SAN) (Orlu),Engr. Charles C. Ugwuh (OON) (Okigwe), Air Commodore Luke Ochulor (Rtd) (Owerri) advised ‘the State Government should gather all evidence and material facts and move firmly with the help of EFCC and ICPC to recover all assets, including State Lands fraudulently acquired or allocated under unlawful/dubious circumstances.’’
The Elders also commended the people of the state for their massive support and endorsement of the Ihedioha’s administration especially in the manner they have exhibited tolerance, patience while accommodating the hardship occasioned by the massive infrastructural decays arising from years of neglect by the immediate past administration in the state.
The Imo Elders Council it would be recalled at a critical moment when it appeared all hopes were lost rose to the challenge to throw their weight behind the candidature of Emeka Ihedioha and urged the people to support him. Imo people like true sons and daughters hearkened to the elders, thus the emergence of the new administration.
Recognizing that the times are inauspicious to do any construction work following the rainy period, the Imo Senior citizens further urged the state and local governments to endeavour to provide palliative measures to stem the hardships to which the citizens are exposed during this period.
In their words, they said, ‘it is appreciated that full reconstruction works are virtually impossible under the current heavy rains, yet we urge immediate mobilization of the State and all LGA Administrations to undertake the major task of filling up the potholes – in a statewide OPERATION FILL ALL POTHOLES – in order to create some temporary relief until the rains are over.’’
On the controversial RUGA settlements and the Cow Herding issues, the Elders noted that Imo State is grossly disadvantaged in terms of land space and in the light of its ever growing population noted that the state is constrained in providing any open grazing space or settlement.
They expressed gratitude and commended the actions of the new administration in setting up a well-ordered administration, reactivation of the civil service as well as enthroning due process which will in turn ensure integrity of actions in government business.
NIGERIAN HORN
