Dr ikedi ohakim: Imo Only Gets Better
(pictures speaks at www.ohakim2011.com)

The Environment:
The clean & green initiative is one of the key programmes of  the administration and was informed by a strong belief that a clean environment is fundamental to human development. With support from government, the people of imo state have now re-imbebed the culture of hygiene and cleanliness for which they were hitherto known. The result is clear for all to see and includes the award of cleanest city in Nigeria to owerri, the state capital in 2007.

Agriculture
To achieve its objective of rapid agricultural development and guaranteed food sufficiency, the administration has evolved aggressive agricultural policies and programmes aimed at improving the productive capacity of the sector. Some of the programmes are:
• Partnering with a foreign consortium, agro nova, to increase agricultural production and build capacity
• Making available tractors to the 27 local government areas to enhance mechanized farming.
• Engaging agricultural extension workers to teach modern farming techniques.
• Establishing modern irrigation farms, fisheries and plantations in several parts of the state
• Development of over 3 million palm seedlings for free distribution to farmers.
• Adequate supply of fertilizers at a subsidized prices.
• Development of 5 hectare cassava farms in each LGA in partnership with the state polytechnic umuagwuo.

Technology-Driven Civil Service
In order to create and drive a modern knowledge-based economy, the state civil service has been modernized with the development, of information and communication technology. As a result, every ministry and organ of government is concerned and accessible by email round the clock. Using modern technology to optimize performance and output is in line with the New face of Imo philosophy and vision.

Security
Despite the region’s peculiar security situation, operation festival, the administration special task force on security has recorded remarkable success in securing lives and property. It is on record that Imo has consistently recorded the lowest crime rate amongst its contemporaries during festive seasons. With support from well organized vigilante groups across the state, operation festival is equipped to tackle the problem of violent crime on an on-line real-time basis.

Education
Through policies and infrastructure upgrade, the ohakim administration has aggressively pursed its vision of promoting quality and higher academic standards. The following was achieved over the last three years:
• 35 modern classroom blocks built.
• Return of schools mission to promote discipline, high morals and greater commitment to excellence.
• On-going rehabilitation of 1,500 primary and secondary schools in 304 wards in the state.
• Offer of 2,600 scholarships to deserving citizens
• Capacity building programmes for teachers and other staff.
• Stabilization of tertiary institution fees.

Jobs and Youth Empowerment
The ohakim administration has initiate numerous job creation and youth empowerment schemes resulting in gainful employment for no less than 60,000 imo indigenes. Some of these initiatives include the imo job center, imo rural road maintenance agency, Imo environment transportion company and the on-going jobs4youth scheme by which 10,000 hitherto unemployed young Imo gradutes are being absorded into the state public service. To help Imo youths actualize their dreams and passions, the administration has successfully sent 27 lucky youths to FiFA world cup in south Africa in the Ohakim4Youths world cup special.

Peace and order
Across the length and breath of Imo state, law, order and peace is now the rule, rather than the exception. Efforts at  conflict resolution have yielded remarkable results. The incidence of community squabbles, feud and violent conflicts has reduced tremendously, enabling government focus more on partnering with the people for community development.

Roads
The needs to provide the necessary infrastructure to drive real development informed the administration’s heavy investment in the rehabilitation and construction of roads both rural areas. At the last count, 389 kilometers of tarred roads had been completed while 188 kilometers  more on the way. In addition, hundreds of kilometres of rural roads have been paved by the imo Road maintenance Agency, IROMA, now being reorganized for better efficiency.

Water Supply
Imo is a front-runner in the performance charts of the United nations Millennium Development Goals(MDGs). The government strongly aligns with the belief that access to safe water is an important human development index. In three years, over 148 water schemes have been completed in all parts of the state with over 263 slated for completion in the next few months. The remains guaranteed access to clean and water to all in the state.

Tourism
Tourism development, a flagship project of the administration, is quietly but surely receiving great boost. Environmental infrastructure, security and property managed transportation system  are top on the priority of government for realizing the state’s full tourism potentials. At the moment, Owerri, the state capital, has become the choice destination for leisure and conference center would readily confer on Imo the title of preferred destination for tourism and conferencing in Africa.

The judiciary
The administration recognizes that a strong and independent judiciary is the only bastion of hope for all who seek justice. Today, the courts have been facilitated with cars, high-capacity generators, internet and other vital tools. Government has also built a court of appeal in Owerri. Overall, the outcome is higher turnaround, improved efficiency and a pervading sense of renewed confidence in the judiciary.


SO WHAT NEXT? LET'S DO MORE!!!