Imo State Governor, Sen. Hope Uzodimma on Saturday, assured Imo people that the State will not be overwhelmed by insecurity.
Speaking at the inaugural meeting of the Imo State Elders Council, the Governor said that his administration would continue to put measures in place to ensure that peace within the State is sustained.
“Collectively we will defend ourselves from these agents of destabilization, we must work together to save the State. I can’t do it alone”
“What happened in Imo State if not for God, would have been terrible, the implementation of the White Paper was our greatest undoing that saw the State being unleashed by criminals who milked the State dry.”
“We came and agreed that our looted assets must be recovered and that we are doing,” He added.
Speaking further, he said “As a government we will not relent in doing the needful, security-wise, to make Imo State a choice destination for all including outsiders, all persons inciting violence, insecurity through words and actions would be made to face the law.
“We must all come out and speak against the lies, propaganda being peddled against the State. I would want to sincerely appreciate the galaxy of personalities here who in the open, have continuously sided with the truth,” the Governor said as he urged the Elders Council to protect Imo in the best interest of Imo people.
He then admonished the Council of Elders on the need for unadulterated leadership and development in the State at the Inaugural meeting held at Imo Concorde Hotel, Owerri.
“The course of the development of our State, the protection of our people, the provision of leadership must be borne by a mind that is not adulterated “Gov. Uzodimma admonished.
Governor Uzodimma charged them on the commitment to serve even to insults “if you must, serve well”.
The Governor called on the Elders of the State to arise to their responsibilities and be part of the checks and balances of the democratic system which the Shared Prosperity Government has allowed to truly thrive unlike past administrations.
“No Government will seize lands, acquire the general wealth of the people, loot the treasury because if he’s challenged but all these happened in the past because no one challenged him.” Uzodimma emphasized.
The Governor further assured that Imo State will not be allowed to go down again under our watch.
Governor Uzodinma after the event said that the advisory role of the elders council will make them guide the Government in rendering quality governance to the people and maintaining the integrity of the institution.
He wrote:
In December 2021, when I constituted the Imo State Elders Council headed by Obi of Obinugwu, HRM Eze (Dr.) Cletus Ilomuanya, I reiterated the need for every part of the society to actively participate in the Governance of our dear State for the interest of the people.
At the inaugural meeting yesterday, I appealed to our Elders to work with the Government and uphold the confidence reposed in them by the people of Imo State.
As accomplished personalities, their role as Advisory Council and watchdogs of the Government, would guide the Government in rendering quality governance to our people and maintaining the integrity of the institution.
No Governor can successfully loot the State if the Elders were not sleeping. In the past, Governors have looted our commonwealth unchallenged. To prevent this, I constituted the Elders Council to bring value to governance and focus on the wellbeing of our people.
Under my watch as the Governor of Imo State, I pledge to ensure that all that rightfully belongs to us as Ndi Imo will not be frittered away under any guise whatsoever. I remain resolute in the recovery of our oil wells and other resources deprived of us by those we had in the past, entrusted the leadership of our State to.
Our network and synergy with Government at the Center has continued to attract developmental projects to our dear State. We had in the past, fallen short of crude production report by over 70%, which has grossly undermined our Federal Allocation. Thankfully, we have initiated legal proceedings to correct the anomalies and restore our due derivatives.
The power of the Governor is in the people. I therefore, call on our Elders Council to work with the Government for the best interest of our people. As a non-partisan body, the Council shall enjoy its independence, due respect and co-operation.
