The 6th Imo Stakeholders meeting has come and gone with all the raves and talking points by people from different quarters.
The Elephant being a huge animal can often be interpreted based on one’s standing point as well as understanding of what the animal is all about before standing there.
People at the tail end feel they have seen it all, forgetting that in most instances, the tail of an Elephant cannot represent the entire Elephant. Those close to the head may think the same, but one thing everyone comes to forget is that the Elephant in its magnanimity belongs to someone who wholly understands the essence of the entire animal and not just quantifying or objectifying it based on the length of tusk, roughness of the skin and how clean or dirty the feet are.
The proverbial elephant in this contest is the 6th Imo Stakeholders meeting, designed to enlighten Imolites on what the government of Senator Hope Uzodinma has done, is doing and will do.
All thanks to the publicity the event received before its commencement, a lot of young people joined via Zoom, a move that should be commended and sustained for people all over the world to join and participate in such events. How else can we feel Imo is ours?
Governor Hope Uzodinma in his wisdom and share maturity averted what could have been another ‘political insecurity’ by leaving out the names of those sponsoring the insecurity ravaging the state in the hands of security agents as it should be.
But beyond that there were other talking points Imolites should hold on to and also do what they can to remind the governor of his promises knowing that their materialization will give Imo State a brand-new face in the country.
1 ROAD INFRASTRUCTURE
No fewer than 90 Roads have been completed or under construction or about to be completed.
The roads cut across urban and rural areas and the three senatorial zones of the state.
Urban renewal program that has given Owerri the state capital a facelift.
The planting of ornamental trees around the capital city meant to bring Owerri to its position as a city to beat in Nigeria in terms of neatness and ambiance.
2 COMMERCE & INDUSTRY
Following the demolition of the popular Eke-Ukwu Owerri Market, Gov. Hope Uzodimma has embarked on the construction of a state-of-the-Art ultramodern market in Eke-Ukwu to assuage the pains of the people.
The Market has over 3,000 shops, will house a police station, banks, fire service station and many other facilities and services that can be obtained in any modern market in any part of the world. The Ugwu Ma Biri Women will also be accommodated.
The Shared prosperity government is on the verge of producing an industrial policy for Imo people covering the vacuum over the years that’ has altered the growth of industries in the state.
The Imo state government a few weeks ago with the vice president, Prof Yemi Osinbanjo commissioned the cluster for fashion designers in the state under the Imo state Micro Small and medium enterprises (MSME) Clinic.
The 3R administration also moved to revamp all moribound industries in the state. Gov Hope Uzodimma has paid off the debts to the tone of 1.3billion Naira owed to asserts management company of Nigeria (AMCON) by successive administrations in the state, in respect of Imo standard shoe Industry.
In partnership with over 200 registered cooperative societies and organized rural farmers, artisans, workers in the private sector into micro businesses to facilitate increased productivity and sustainable capital formation linked to multilateral finance agencies such as,: Agric Loans Board, Bank of Agriculture, Bank of Industry, Micro finance banks Etc.
3 SOCIAL DEVELOPMENT
The Ministry of social Development and vulnerable groups in collaboration with office of her Excellency wife of the Governor facilitated the organization of humanitarian services such as children’s day celebration and other national Global observances like international women’s day, female Genital mutilation, early child marriage, child labour.
The Government also signed into law the bill on violence Against persons prohibition (VAPP)
4 LOCAL GOVERNMENT ADMINISTRATION
Governor Hope Uzodimma has elevated the Bureau of local Government affairs to a full ministry this will facilitate sustainable development for reactivation of rural development centres for efficient service delivery.
5 TOURISM
The promotion of our culture in all its ramifications is also receiving a big boost. At the 2021 National Festival of Arts and Culture (NAFEST) held at Ado Ekiti, Ekiti State, Imo Constumed State. We are looking to extend the promotion, propagation and the protection of our culture, our values and our heritage.
Soon, we shall unveil our Tourism Roadmap together with the Imo State Tourist Guide, our culture and tourism calendar and an assortment resources to promote Imo Tourism. Government has commenced construction of a recreational park in Owerri on the banks of the Nworie river. This of course will further boost the thriving tourism industry in tandem with our vision of making Imo State an irresistible tourism destination.
6 AGRICULTURE
The state government has embarked on expansion of the oil palm plantation base of the state. We have replanted over one hundred and forty hectares of land with oil seedlings at Ada-palm, Ohaji and Ngor-Okpala.
Investors are being sought to take over the rubber plantation for repositioning, replanting and modernization.
These measures will not only enhance internal revenue but greatly boost the economy of the state, creating additional over fifty thousand (50,000) jobs on completion
REVENUE GENERATION/ FISCAL RESPONSIBILITY
“Previously, Imo State receives loans from world bank, but since the passage into law of IMO STATE DEBT MANAGEMENT LAW NUMBER (6) of 2021, the State has attracted 2million USD as GRANT from the State Fiscal Transparency Accountability and Sustainability (SFTAS); A World Bank Program for Good Governance.”
Following the robust and reinvigoration of the internal revenue capacity and Industrial stimulus packages, we are now projecting a monthly IGR of N5bn from this year upward.
7 BUDGET
The budget of wealth of creation and recovery as His Excellency the Distinguished Senator Hope Uzodimma presents 381.4billion Maura to the Imo State House of Assembly (IMHA) for the 2022 budget which reflects a 5.3% from the 2021 budget
With the harmonization of state revenue and blockage of all loopholes, the State Government is confident of over 70% execution without external borrowing while the rest could fall under credit expenditures.
The budget showcases the great steps in minimizing dependency on federal allocation
8 PUBLIC SERVICE:
Government has announced the setup of a panel that is currently reviewing issues hovering around non-promotion in the civil service. It is on record that the last promotion happened since 2014 and with this step once the reviews are concluded, those due for promotion shall be promoted.
For the first time in the history of Imo, a 100% basic salary was paid as 13th month to curb economic hardship and serve as a Christmas package for our workforce.
