The Sole Administrator of Oru West and Chairman, Association of Local Governments of Nigeria (ALGON), Imo State Chapter, Hon. Willie TC Okolieogwo, says Governor Hope Uzodimma is cleaning and correcting rots and putrefaction of empty treasury he met in office as Governor in 2020.
He said the Governor who is determined to redeem Imo State, did not allow the ‘No-Hand-Over-Book/Note nor the Dried Treasury to impede him from changing the ugly narratives of bad governance, poor leadership performance and corruption of past rulers of the state to becloud his vision for fair democracy, humanitarianism and godliness.
Okolieogwo disclosed this during a Post Election Media Chat held at ALGON Office, Okigwe Road, Owerri, Friday.
He stated that despite the challenges, the Governor has redefined governance in the state by constructing quality roads, rehabilitating dilapidated roads, school structures, built hospitals, enhanced quality education, empowered youths on ICT, pays salaries and pensions regularly, increased wages, promotes public workers, rewards hardwork and excellence, among others.
“The 3R led government has done greatly in many areas of governance despite that it met a rotten system with empty treasury. Without any Handover Book/Note, His Excellency, Senator Hope Uzodimma, has remained focused in delivering democracy goodies to the 27 LGAs of Imo State. This sterling performance endeared the people to reelect the Governor for Second Tenure”, Okolieogwo said.
He reflected that the local government system is doing very well in the state, saying Imo is gradually, positively advancing in terms of security, infrastructure, health, education, ICT technology, trade, commerce, industry and tourism.
When asked why ALGON has not been having open monthly briefing of LGAs Allocations, the Oru West SOLAD responded that the Councils under his watch do hold Federation Account Allocation Committee (FAAC) Monthly Meeting which he added is not made open to journalists, maintaining that adequate information regarding the the FAAC could be found in public domain, hinting that LGA funds are used for social development which include healthcare, road, water scheme and electricity.
Okolieogwo emphasized that the LGA Allocations are not controlled by the State Government, but the Council Chairmen, who he said utilize the money accordingly. “The Governor is not the one holding LGAs fund. Sole Administrators (Council Chairmen) are the ones who receive and appropriate the money which comes directly from the Federal Government. Indeed, the Shared Prosperity led administration awarded 5km of road to be done in each community or wards by local contractors, but some of them did not deliver. Would you blame the Governor who promotes local contents by awarding contracts to local and indigenous contractors to construct quality road in their communities”?
The ALGON Chairman mentioned that the Sole Administrators worked effectively towards the reelection of Governor Hope Uzodimma because they want the good work he is doing in the state to continue.
While hinting that the 3R led administration promotes agriculture to improve food sufficiency and food security by sharing free of over 900 bags of fertilizers to farmers effectively, free of charge.
Okolieogwo posited that the Governor’s electoral victory was due to his laudable achievements which are practically seen in all nooks and crannies of the state, calling on the losers to accept defeat, join hands with the government to advance the good of the state.
He did not mince words as he urged media professionals to carry out their duty in accordance to journalism standards/ethics to continue to be positive watchdogs of the society, assuring that ALGON in the state would always work with journalists as the 3R led government intensifies good governance and purposeful leadership.
