RT.HON.EMEKA IHEDIOHA'S FIRST 30 DAYS IN OFFICE: A LESSON IN GOOD GOVERNANCE

By Barr. Ekene Bob-Ekechukwu
29/06/2019
bobekene@gmail.com

Rt. Hon. Emeka Nkem Ihedioha, CON, KSC assumed office as the 5th Executive Governor of Imo State exactly 30 days ago. His coming to power wasn't as sweet as that of his predecessors for obvious reasons. Firstly, he came to power at a point in the history of the State where the economy and socio-political institutions were almost completely eroded by the misgovernance of his predecessor, Rochas Okorocha. It must be stated here that previous administrations of Achike Udenwa, Ikedi Ohakim and even Rochas Okorocha had the benefits of a formal hand-over which enabled them to easily commence work. But Rt. Hon Ihedioha didn't enjoy such privileges of a formal hand-over from Okorocha which would have enabled him to kickstart his government in earnest. Instead, he inherited nothing and a series of landmine set by Okorocha to truncate his administration. However, in spite of all these he was able to navigate through these obstacles to commence effective governance of the State.

The reason why Okorocha failed woefully is because he was neither formally or informally prepared to lead the State. That accounted for the jamboree that was witnessed in the last 8 years that made the State a by-word in the Country. The Governor's political sagacity and administrative competence is not surprising because he is inarguably the most prepared cum experienced of those that had governed the State. Having been 12 years as a Federal Lawmaker, 4 of which he served as Deputy-Speaker and Speaker of the House of Representatives before becoming Governor; such invalubale experience can't be wished away at all. This experience and preparedness is expressed in every step the Governor has taken so far in the governance of the State.

His Excellency, through his Rebuild Imo Agenda has devised series of pragmatic programmes to revive the fortunes of the State. He started with restoring the Rule of Law by first appointing Barr. Ndukwe Nnawuchi (SAN), Attornery-General to guide the government to act in accordance with the Law. In a bid to also enshrine accountability and transparency he appointed Mr. Pascal Egwim, Director-General/CEO Bureau of Public Procurement and Price Intelligence in accordance with the provisions of the Law. He waited for the resolution of the House of Assembly before dissolving the Chairmen of LGA Councils, Boards and Parastals. He didnt interfer with the elections of the House of Assembly principal officers but allowed members to chose their leaders. He unified the State by virtue of his dispassionate appointments which covered the 27 LGAs of the State. These appointments carried along both women and youths such as the 29 year old AIC Akwarandu, Special Assistant on New Media amongst others . It is also on record that 81 women are among the political appointees so far out of which 4 are Transition Committee Chairmen. Thus far, it is crystal clear that the Governor by reason of his appointments has carried everyone along.

In the area of environmetal transformation, the Governor's Go Green, Stay Clean programme is already changing the face of the State capital by removing the refuse dumps that once marred the environment. In addition, the Tree Planting project which intends to beautify the capital city and bring in fresh air is already in top gear. In the area of provision of social amenities, he is already at work. The State Government has declared a state of emergency in the area of infrastructure. As a result and for the first time in so many years the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) has commenced quality road construction in the State, starting from the New Owerri area. These projects were ab initio delayed by the obviously selfish and negligent attitude of Okorocha's government. The Governor also established a Task Force on Infrastructure which has already commenced operation zero potholes and massive road repairs. The Task Force is also refurbishing the Dan Anyiam and Grasshopper International Stadium to standard.

On provision of portable water, Imo has also secured about $130m grant from World Bank for the reactivation of the moribund Imo Water Board Corporation. This means that very soon there will be pipe borne water in the State, which has never happened in the last 20 years. In the area of electricity, the State government has embarked on the reactivation and completion of power sub-stations under construction in the State such as the Ibeku power sub-station Aboh Mbaise. These sub-stations when completed will ensure regular power supply in those areas. On Agriculture, the government is partnering with foreign investors from Morroco and Netherlands to revive the moribund Avutu Poultry Farm in Obowo LGA. When this is done, employment will be created for thousands of Imolites while food production in the State will be boosted.

The economy is also receiving a big boost as foreign investors such as the World Bank, AfriExim Bank, Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation have all indicated interest in partnering with the government to develop the State. The educational sector is not left out as the government's Technical Education Masterplan is billed to resuscitate technical education and skill acquisition which is a precursor for industrialization. This Masterplan is being augmented by the government's plan to reactivate the 4 Technical Colleges in Ahiara, Orsu, Orlu and Owerri. When all these are done, Imo State will become an industrial hub which can favourably compete with Aba and Onitsha. On security, the Governor's appointment of Raymond Nkemdirim, a former senior Intelligence officer with the Department of State Services(DSS) as Special Adviser on Security is an example of putting a round peg in a round hole. Imo State was expected to boil as the citizens were reportedly angry over Okorocha's imperial rule and had wanted to mob the outgoing Governor and his family members on May 29. It took the Governor's intervention to quell the uproar. Since then the State has experienced peace and security. The Governor has also demonstrated his concern over workers welfare by restoring their salary to 100% from the 70% Okorocha paid by Okorocha's government.

Despite the deliberate plot of ex-governor Rochas Okorocha to undermine this government, the Governor was able to surmount the challenges and come out stronger. All these great milestones wouldn't have been achievable in a short period, if the Governor is incompetent and didn't assemble competent persons to work with him. Looking at the foregoing, any discerning person can easily say that Rt.Hon.Emeka Ihedioha's first 30 days in office is indeed a lesson in good governance.

Imo is being rebuilt