₦airaland Forum

Its well

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It is no longer news that in line with last week’s decision of the Supreme Court, Senator Hope Uzodinma is now the Imo State governor.

Having decided that the exclusion of certain votes in his favour during the collation of votes at the last governorship election in the state was illegal, the Apex Court went ahead to add the said votes which saw to the victory of the new governor.

Uzodinma was promptly sworn in. His immediate predecessor, Emeka Ihedioha who had earlier been declared as the duly elected governor by the electoral body had to step down.

Before doing so, Ihedioha did not forget to make the point that although he did not agree with what he described as an unfair and unjust ruling, he had “no option but to respect the outcome of the judgment.” A cursory look at various media platforms shows that Ihedioha’s viewpoint is generally shared by a cross section of Nigerians.

Bearing in mind that the ruling was made by the nation’s highest judicial authority – the Supreme Court, everyone appears to believe that there is really nothing left for Ihedioha to rely upon for some hope. There are grounds for this position, the most prominent is that the Supreme Court is the last court of the land; meaning that after it, no other court is available to a party for further action. In other words, the situation is not like what happens in the lower courts when a party can proceed on appeal to a higher court where he is dissatisfied with a judgment.

Again, there is the understanding that in order to avoid a situation where a case may never end, the same court is not expected to review its rulings after delivering its judgment. Put differently, a Court cannot sit as an appellate Court over its decision. It is this idea, that a Court has no business returning to a case it has already concluded that makes many people think the end of Ihedioha’s case has come.

For this reason, some analysts have condemned the call by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) for the Supreme Court to reverse itself in the Imo case. The only thing in our view that is wrong with the position of the PDP is the intemperate diction employed at the press conference where the call was made. Otherwise, the rule that a court cannot reverse itself is not absolute. To revisit a case already settled has happened many times before.

Almost 50 years ago, we had the case of Johnson v Lawanson (1971) 7 NSCC 82 where the Supreme Court found cause to overrule itself. In that case, Justice G.B.A Coker of the Apex Court made the point that “when the court is faced with the alternative of perpetuating what it is satisfied is an erroneous decision which was reached per incuriam and will, if followed, inflict hardship and injustice upon the generations in the future or of causing temporary disturbances of rights acquired under such a decision, I do not think we shall hesitate to declare the law as we find it.”

What the above implies is that the convention that Courts do not reverse themselves has exceptions; one of which is that a party is allowed to seek a revisit of a decided case if the decision was arrived at by fraud or deceit or in earnest, when there are clerical errors in the judgment. From the little that has been made public about the Imo judgment, it is obvious that the election has been accorded more votes than the number of voters accredited to vote – an anomaly that is made more visible by the current arrangement in which accreditation and voting are merged. However, the number of votes scored in an election can be lower than the number accredited where some ballots are found to be invalid.
The decision of the Supreme Court in the Imo governorship case that the exclusion of certain votes was illegal because it was done by unauthorized officials cannot be faulted; it is in actual fact a point to be saluted if we must put an end to our history of rancorous elections. But if the addition of the controversial votes creates mathematical errors as we now have, the court ought to correct such clerical error, accidental slip or omission.

That is probably what any person would regard as the ordinary meaning of Order 8 Rule 16 of the Supreme Court Rules which creates an exception to the rule that a court cannot revisit its own ruling. Thus, nothing in our view stops Emeka Ihedioha from pointing out the apparent error occasioned by the addition of the voting figures approved by the court. All he needs to do is to present an application to the court for the correction of the error in computing the votes and not to seek an appeal. In other words, Ihedioha must not go to Court to seek a reversal of his case as Andy Uba was wrongly persuaded to do in the Anambra governorship election in 2007. Ihedioha should stop at correcting errors.

In truth, if the Supreme Court had averted her mind to the absurdity of the figures we are now seeing, she would have seen with relative ease, some wisdom in the earlier rejection by the electoral body of obviously concocted figures which Nigerian politicians are expert of. She would have realized that allowing the figures would do incalculable damage to our electoral and democratic system.

This is why we call on the Supreme Court to, on its own, without the prompting of a party correct the obvious error which would not derogate from its credibility because although the court is final, its members are not infallible; they are human. This is our own understanding of what the late legend, Chukwudifu Oputa meant when he said many years back while referring to those of them in the Supreme Court that “we are final not because we are infallible, rather we are infallible because we are final.”

What would make the finality of our Apex Court to be greatly cherished is where the Court is not only fair and just but where it also adopts an approach which allows errors to be corrected. If the truth must be told, such respect for the Court or what may be better described as public perception of our Supreme Court at this point in time is rather low.

One way of reversing the trend is for the Court to embrace substantial rather than technical justice as its priority and to revisit a case whose judgment is laced with errors. Otherwise, a judgment that no one would comfortably follow in future would be a great attack on the doctrine of judicial precedent. The judgment in the Imo governorship case, which has approved more votes than voters has all the potentials of serving as a bad case. It should be promptly corrected.

It's well

Nigerian Engineer Wins $500m Contract to Build Monorail Network in Iraq

A Nigerian Engineer, based in Canada, Jude Igwemezie, has won a $500 million contract to build a monorail network in Iraq.
Mr. Igwemezie, who was also trained in Canada, heads TransGlobim International, the engineering company that won the bid. The contract is to construct what is described as “a viable rail transportation network” for the city of Najaf. The network will connect three Islamic holy and historic mosques in Imam Ali, Kufa and Sahle.
An elated Mr. Igwemezie told NEXT in a telephone interview that the project is billed to be completed in three years, and will be built in two phases. The first phase, he said, will cover the design, construction and operation of the system while the second phase will involve the expansion of the system and its extension to the Najaf airport and the final phase.
Mr. Igwemezie, who said he has been involved in negotiation with Nigerian officials in the last 18 months to construct several rail lines in the country, disclosed that it took “only two months to get the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) executed with Iraqi officials”.
Hinting at his frustration to offer his services to Nigeria, Mr. Igwemezie said, “as a Diaspora person, I kept coming back, knocking, to help Nigeria. On the other hand I can’t knock forever.”

http://thebossnewspapers.com/2018/09/17/nigerian-engineer-wins-500m-contract-to-build-monorail-network-in-iraq/?from=groupmessage&isappinstalled=0

Nigeria �� my country




We struggled to break free,
a break from the colonial masters,
To stand tall wearing our green and white with pride.
But in place of pride shame

The unions Jack was lowered
but its ugly head was raised in the heart of our leaders, exercising authorities and ruling our people,

we became slaves to the colour we celebrated, sweating profusely to the land that drank the blood of our fathers,yet more blood it thirsts,

our heads are chopped off and our houses burnt down

our jobs ceased and was replace with bribery and corruption

The Nigeria�� we craved for has created Hunger in our stomachs and to our throat, thirst


The Nigeria we fought for has made our mothers, widow's, our children, homeless and our youths ,hopeless.

The Nigeria we fought for has let our youths to the streets turning them into thieves, armed robbers,kidnappers and corporate beggars.


The Nigerians we elected has taken democracy away, our existential right to good governance trampled

Now we stand with our head bowed in shame
Our Giant has fallen
Our pride broken
From freedom to chain, we back
Wasted are the efforts of our heroes past
Our voices has been silenced
Our white stained
our green dusty, earnestly waiting for the rain's wash,

when commeth the rain
a question better imagined than asked
a question which answer get more questions leading to a confusing end,

integrity has been dermaged and the future seems gloomy,

where comes our help, the people ask again

is there any hope for tomorrow, they querried,

Yes
let hope arise
For the Nigeria we prayed for is coming,
raise your bowed head and stand the flag
Sing his praise and sing her anthem
our country is rising again.
Happy Independence Nigerians.


Amb.Igbokwe,Sampson C.

Igbokwe, Sampson C
B. Sc PHysics.. MOUAU
M.. Sc Geophysics MOUAU
PhD in view thinking of material science, or Geophysics. this is the area I need you guys recommendations as regards recent developments and direction in physics and science as a whole

recommendations and assistance regards institutions (TETfund approved) will also be appreciated . thanks

It’s the season for “First 100 Days” in office for elected political leaders, particularly of the executive cadre, of Nigeria at both the national and state levels. This is sequel to their swearing-in and inauguration on May 29, 2019. I am referring to the president and the governors of Nigeria that elected in the February 23 and March 9, 2019. In Imo State, it is Emeka Ihedioha, CON, KSC that was sworn-in and inaugurated as the sixth democratically elected governor of Imo State. Hence, he too is counting his chicken after his first one hundred days in office.

source: https://www.thisdaylive.com/index.php/2019/09/07/first-100-days-how-ihedioha-defied-odds/

The central theme of this piece is that in spite of various sorts of odds that were strewn along the paths in the garden of government and governance. By that I mean the fact that right from the declaration by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) of Governor Ihedioha as the governor-elect on Monday, March 11, 2019, two days after the Saturday, March 9, 2019 Governorship Election till date, the ex-governor, Rochas Okorocha, his predecessor has continually laid landmines for the new governor.


For instance, it’s on record that the ex-governor didn’t provide any Handover Notes to Governor Ihedioha. That was a major cog in the wheels of progress of the new government. The common notion is that Government and governance are continuum. But in the case of Imo State Government relinquished by the ex-governor, it was not a continuum but an end of the Government and governance road in Imo State. Starting was simply a near mission impossible. The Government House, the Governor’s Lodge, the Deputy Governor’s Lodge and various Administrative Building Complexes in the Government House, Owerri were virtually looted and left to rot and decay. The worst was the Office of the Governor, which leaked water when it rained.


Critical sectors in the civil service of the Government of Imo State viz the ministries, departments and agencies were like the land visited by the parabolic vandals. It was like a place where a fratricidal war was recently brought to an end. Imo State, therefore, required the 3rs of reconciliation, rehabilitation and reconstruction. It was such that till date the governor and his deputy, Gerald Irona, still operate from their private residences. For a better part of the first 70 days in office, the number one and number Imolites worked with their own private cars.


At a point it was confirmed by the Chairman of Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) in Imo State, Comrade Austin Chilakpu, that not less than 5000 (five thousand) illegal persons were hurriedly injected into the payroll of the State Civil Service between March and May 2019, by the ex-governor and his aides and agents. This was similar to the situation with the pensioners in the State. There were reportedly nearly more ghost persioners than the living ones.

We’re talking about the odds that Governor Ihedioha had to contend with to kick-start his RebuildImo administration. The summary is that by there were copious, established, verifiable evidences of the landmines, which for time and space constraints may not be catalogue absolutely here.


However, in spite of the odds, Ihedioha started strong. He swung into action and began to do first things first, in the order of the principles of rule of law and due process, on which his administration was founded. He needed to determine the magnitude of the vandalization and devastation he inherited. Hence, he made recourse to the State Legislature for various statutory enablement. And upon securing legal impetus from the parliament of the State, Ihedioha instituted and deployed various fact-finding Committees and Commissions to assist assess and determine the status of nearly every sector of the State’s socio-economic profile from 2011 to 2019. All the Committees and Commissions are still working within and outside the State to accomplish their terms of reference.


As the Committees and Commissions went about their work, Ihedioha was running the Government the best he could. He assembled a crop of tested and proven intellectuals, technocrats and professionals his aides. He trimmed the bogus 31 ministries he inherited to 18. He signed Order 005 to activate the Treasury Single Account (TSA) policy in Imo State to end the regime of 250 bank accounts purportedly belonging to the State. The city of Owerri which was a literal pigsty as at May 29, 2019, began to be freed from the ravage by waste and refuse. This was as the Imo State Enviromental Transformation Corporation (ENTRACO) evacuated over 100,000 tonnes of waste and refuse from across the State capital alone. Flooding was a major challenge. But the new administration activated the project of desilting of the gutters, drainages tunnels and channels leading into the two major rivers in city – River Nworie and River Otamiri, together with Lake Nwaebere. Today, once it rains for hours, it takes minutes for the flood to drain away.


The Government has paid a number of counterpart funding, which has led to the return to Imo State of donor/assisting organizations and agencies like the World Bank. Consequently, public water supply, which was viciously blocked since 2011 has been restored in the State, beginning from the State capital. A major erosion control project has commenced in the State. It’s a N9.8 billion World Bank/International Development Association/NEWMAP assisted project. A number of Communities that had not had public electricity since 2011 have been reconnected to the national grid. A number of very terrible roads in the State have received prompt intervention from the State Ministry of Work, with contracts set to be awarded for some ten major roads across the three geo-political zones in the State viz Owerri, Orlu and Okigwe Zones .


The attitude of Imo people, particularly Imo workers to the State have continued to be redefined, with a tremendous change from apathy and lethargy to confidence and trust in government. In spite of the bent by the ex-governor to make the State ungovernable for the new administration, the people of the State have continued to shower the new administration with trust and confidence.The foregoing and indeed much more are what I articulated as starting strong in spite of evident odds. It’s believed that with the successes of the new administration so far in repositioning the State for growth and progress, with greater propensity for a better tomorrow, the vision and mission of rebuilding Imo State as declared by Governor Ihedioha.

OGa moderators this is a front page topic, I know APC e warriors won't like this

Adaowerri111:
2011 Rochas was busy fighting Ohakim and he ended up having a disastrous first 100 days in office, this singular act set the tone for his failure which prompted him to say he wont be marking 100 days in office for reasons best known to him, I'm waiting for Uncle Ihedioha to list at least one achievement of his administration and thunder go fire the idiot if him list destroying akachi tower as an achievement, see how PDP governors for east dey fall PDP hand , still waiting for the green capped Ihedioha, list your achievement and if you want to quote me abeg no talk much, no rants... just help your oga list achievements. Thieves in power.

wait no more, check my profile and you will be well served, enjoying reading

SLAP44:
Nice one Sir.

Ihedioha has clear and precise plans and has already started implementation on them all.

Okorocha came with laughter and fanfare, oratory skills and a promise of philanthropy, but we saw through his hollow and empty words.

APC used Okorocha to Destroy imo state.

God bless you, this shows that you are informed regarding IMO politics, I pray he sustains this tempo

11.0 Environmental Sanitation.

11.1 Owerri our State capital was famed for its cleanliness, but in the last eight years, we witnessed a gross deterioration of our standards of beauty and sanitation. It could rightly be said that no State capital in our federation at any moment in our history suffered a conscious infrastructural dilapidation and decay like Owerri. Every visitor that visited Owerri had alluded to this fact. Immediately we assumed office, therefore, we embarked on the removal of mountains of refuse dumps that littered the state capital and followed immediately with the de-silting of blocked drainages to ensure a permanent solution to the issue of flooding in the capital city.

11.2 We have also revived the monthly state-wide clean-up exercises and have set up a high-powered committee to work with ENTRACO, the Imo State sanitation agency. We are delighted to observe that the face of Owerri is progressively changing. Only last week the Nigerian Association of Town Planners gave Owerri the 2019 Green Cities Promotion Award.

12.0 Restoring the Autonomy and Integrity of the Local Governments

12.1. I am glad that we have fully restored the autonomy of the Local government as enshrined in the Nigerian constitution. The Interim Management Committee for the Local Government as resolved by the 8th Assembly, is a stop-gap measure to hold the forte as we work towards free, fair and credible local government elections.

13.0 Rebuilding Technical & Vocational Education/ Creating ICT Hub as a Catalysts for Industrial growth.

13.1 Giving our children quality and affordable education is a priority of our administration. Preparatory to the assumption of our schools in the new session, we hosted a well-attended Education Stakeholders’ Summit in which we felt the pulse of the administrators, operators, practitioners and students alike. We are geared to this time, making our systems work.

13.2 My good people of Imo State, you may recall that in my inaugural address, I promised that we would resuscitate technical and vocational education in the State. The need to create a pool of highly skilled youths that would be the pride of the State in the coming years, cannot be over-emphasized. Consequently, on June 2nd, 2019, we inaugurated a Taskforce on Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) under my office. It has been charged with the mandate to deliver tangible outcomes on the transformation of TVET within 180 Days.

The resuscitation of TVET being a priority of the Rebuild Imo Project is anchored on our firm belief that the acquisition of critical technical and vocational skills by majority of our youths has the capacity to stimulate sustainable industrial development, job and wealth creation and ultimately rapid improvement in the socio-economic life of our people. Security of lives and property will also be assured when our youths are off the streets because they are gainfully engaged.

13.3 I am glad today, to inform you that just yesterday, we flagged-off the rebuilding and equipping of four technical colleges in the State namely; Government Technical College Owerri, Ahiara Technical College, Government Technical College Okporo, Orlu and Government Technical College Osu. Our target is that by 2020 we should have hit 60 percent mark of post-Basic students as enrolees in the TVET system.

13.4 Similarly, we recognize the place of Information & Communication Technology- ICT, as the bridge to the future. Consequently, again just last week we signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with a major technology incubation company in the United States to harness the budding technology potentials of our youths. We are also in contact with Google Inc. on how we can invest in the capacity of our young ones.13.5 I am glad to inform us that today we shall launch the first phase of the Chief Leo Stan Ekeh Entrepreneurship Support programme for Imo State indigenes. In this first phase 1,300 people will be given interest-free loans. The main interest free loan for bigger businesses and school fees on the N1.5 Billion support shall commence on Oct, 2019. The objective is to encourage our people engaged in genuine businesses and to empower our people. I therefore commend Chief Ekeh for this gesture and encourage other Imo industrialists to emulate his example.
14.0 Rebuilding Culture and Tourism in our State

14.1 Less than a month into this administration, we successfully revived the abandoned Ahiajoku Lecture Series. It has, indeed, been elevated to an Institute with the appointment of a Director-General to take charge of its affairs. By doing this, Ahiajoku has become a first rate cultural and intellectual resource centre on Igbo culture and civilisation like the Goethe Institute in Germany and the Italian cultural institute.

14.2 The lingering crisis between the indigenes of Nekede and the State government over the alleged misuse of the land designated for the zoological garden has been resolved and we have repositioned the zoo to ultimately become a tourist destination.

15.0 Strengthening and Optimizing the Doctrine of Separation of Powers
15.1 In this period, we have had a cordial relationship with the legislature. On assumption of office, we immediately hosted a retreat with the members of the State Assembly. This interaction had led to fruitful outcome such that a total of 8 Bills (3 in the 8th Assembly and 5 in the 9th Assembly) were signed into law in the period from May 29th to date.
15.2 The are: Imo State Public Procurement (Amendment) law (2) Imo State Local Government Administration (Amendment) Law, (3) Imo State Universal Basic Education Board (Amendment) Law; (4) Imo State Power & Rural Electrification Law , (5) Imo State Electoral (Amendment) Law, (6) Imo State Market Development Authority Law, (7) Imo State Facility Management Agency Law and Imo State Sports Commission (Establishment Law). Moving forward, we are working on domesticating the Administration of Justice Act as well as the Child Rights Act, respectively.
15.3 In the same vein, we recognize the independence of the Judiciary and are supporting the establishment of a multi-door court house to create alternative windows for dispute resolution. Only a few days ago, I inaugurated the reconstituted Imo State Judicial Service Commission made up eminent jurists, renowned legal practitioners and reputable Imo citizens. All emoluments and other entitlements of the Judiciary are released as and at the when due.
16.0 The Nagging Question of Accountability by the Immediate Past Administration

16.1 It is important to recall that we took over the reins of government without even a single handover note. Handover notes, traditionally, is the least responsibility an outgoing administration owes an incoming one. Usually it presents a clear picture of the status of government funds, assets, liabilities, pending judicial matters and even policies to enhance continuity. But unfortunately, this was not done.

16.2 We discovered upon inception that the inability to provide the necessary documentation was due to a total abuse and neglect of laid down procedures of good governance. Most shocking were the litany of “garnishee absolute orders” amounting to over N30billion in addition to six years of unpaid pension as well as salary arrears. Projects were poorly conceived, shabbily executed or hastily abandoned. We have even found some of them very hazardous to human safety.

16.3 It is worthy of note that with our wage bill at an average of N2.5b per month, almost N1b monthly pension bill and in an atmosphere of very low IGR, leaves very little for development. This is compounded by the almost N1b statutory deduction on our FAAC, majorly for the repayment of the N26.8b bailout funds, given to the last administration by the FG. But we shall not despair.

16.4 As a government that espouses the Rule of Law, we will never endorse any manifestation of arbitrary powers. As a result, we have set up two judicial panels of Inquiry, namely: the Judicial Panel of Inquiry into Land Allocation from 2005 to 2019 and the Judicial Panel of Inquiry into Award of Contracts from 2005 to 2019. We have also set up an Inquiry into the Management of Local Government Finances from 2011 to 2019. These panels are made up of very credible Imo citizens with impeccable track records and we are certain they will give ndi-Imo justice.

17.0 Conclusion
17.1 Ndi Imo Nwemadu, we have made progress in a short time. The outlook of our state is good. These could not have been possible without the cooperation of our vibrant legislature as well as your support and sacrifices. I, once again, express our heartfelt gratitude to the State House of Assembly, and you my people. I continue to appeal for your partnership and prayers as we work rebuild Imo State and work to restore the glorious days of our beloved State.

17.2 Thank you all for your attention and God bless.

Imo bu nke anyi nile

A Time to Rebuild

MY ADDRESS AS I CLOCKED 100 DAYS IN OFFICE TODAY

PROTOCOLS

A 100 days ago, my Deputy, Hon. Engr. Gerald Irona and I were sworn into offices as Deputy Governor and Governor of Imo State, respectively. At that solemn event, we pledged to serve you with honesty, transparency and the fear of God. We have not, for one day wavered from that commitment. Let me begin by thanking you for entrusting the leadership of our dear State to us at this auspicious time in our history and for your support and prayers that have taken us thus far.

In keeping with the hallowed tradition in democratic governance, a 100days in Office has always been observed as a benchmark to measure the initial achievements of any government. I can assure you, that the executive arm, the legislature and you the good people of Imo State, are working together to rebuild Imo State.

2.0 Imo Growth and Strategic Development Plan

2.1 As you are all aware, prior to our inauguration, we constituted a high-powered Transition Technical Committee (TTC) comprising distinguished Imo sons and daughters from both within the state and the diaspora. This was to harness our huge human and economic resources to set a clear path in our rebuilding process.

2.2 The outcome of the great work accomplished by this team is being reviewed to come up with an Imo State development agenda to be known as Imo Growth and Strategic Development Plan (G-SDP). The Plan involves a two-stage development horizon of a 5-year Economic Blueprint. These noble men and women assisted us at no cost. To them, we say, a big thank you for their time and sacrifices.

The Plan include the delivery of 381km rural access road projects, restoration of an improved Owerri Master-plan, restoration of water supply in Owerri metropolis, roll-out of a State health insurance scheme as well as the reactivation of four technical education institutions in the state. Others include an economic growth and strategic development initiatives along 5 sub-themes of; Human Capital Development, Agriculture and Food Security, Infrastructure, Industrialization and Job Creation as well as Security and Environment.

3.0 Building Institutional Framework for Good Governance

3.1 In this direction, we have set up a structure for transparency and accountability in the governance process. Accordingly, we have signed into law, Executive Order 005, known as Treasury Single Account (TSA) Order to consolidate all government revenues under one account. We have also adopted other measures designed to plug leakages and increase Internally Generated Revenues (IGR) in the state coffers.

3.2 We cannot achieve the right growth as a state without a sustainable revenue generating system. The State has less than 5% of the working population of over 2 million paying taxes and this is not an acceptable position. We met an arbitrary tax collection system leading to leakages, fraud and all sorts of irregularities.

To ensure a sustainable IGR regime, we took steps to reform the state Internal Revenue Service. From August 2019 all cash tax payments have been banned and the Government has mandated the use of the PayDirect platform with a single source sweeping of revenue. This has started addressing the issue of multiple accounts and leakages, and the IGR has grown from an all-time low of about 300m in July to 600m in August.

3.3 We have commissioned a Central Billing System which will drive the use of technology in tax collection. We have started a tax payer enumeration exercise with the attendant benefit of identifying the tax payers and ensuring they pay the right amount of tax to the right source.

3.4 A transformation of the revenue service built on the pillars of People Processes and Technology to ensure that we serve the needs of the populace in the most efficient and professional manner, by operationalizing the autonomy of the Imo Internal Revenue Service in line with global standards.

3.5 We have also listened to your issues on multiple taxation and commenced a tax harmonization exercise in a bid to eliminate multiple taxation and streamline taxes in a manner that will only focus on the most relevant taxes to be paid.

3.6 Due to these strategic and fiscal responsibility moves, Imo State has gained positive image and is now on track to join the Open Governance Partnership league. It also now qualifies for performance-based grants of the World Bank as well as other multilateral development institutions. We are also currently developing the Imo Growth and Economic Development Fund. The fund will be unique in Nigeria and would serve as an investment catalyst for the Imo State economy.

4.0 Restoring Confidence in the State Civil Service

4.1 Another immediate concern we confronted head-on was the weakness of the State Civil Service due to high nepotism, lack of motivation, delayed salaries and under-payments by, sometimes, as much as 30 percent of salaries due. We, thenceforth, set up a review committee to look into cases of improper or irregular appointments, promotions and other related matters.

4.2 The Committee has turned in its report and, subsequently, we have approved the restoration of payment of 100 percent salaries to all workers in the State, recalled all unjustly suspended Directors, reversed some undeserved promotions and sponsored officers to capacity building programmes. Similarly, Local Government workers have been paid the backlog of salaries owed them by the last administration. I can tell you that there is a renewed sense of motivation in the civil service across the state today.

5.0 Rebuilding our collapsed infrastructures

5.1 We inherited a huge swath of collapsed infrastructures. Except those built by the Federal Government that are useable, the roads built by the state are in a very bad shape, despite the billions of naira purported to have been spent on road construction by the immediate past administration.

5.2 However, we are happy to inform you that the expanded State Executive Council has approved the award of contracts for the reconstruction of 14 critical roads across the State to relievethe sufferings of our people. These include: Naze-Federal Polytechnic Road-Ihiagwa-Obinze road; Ahiara Junction-Okpala Road; Aba Branch-Ahiara Junction road and the Imo Stare Teaching Hospital Road. Others include, the Umuowa-Old Orlu Road; MCC-Toronto Road; Mgbidi–Oguta road; Ogwoghoranya-Avutu with spur at Avutu Poultry FarmRoad andthe Douglas–Emmanuel College-NazeJunction road.

5.3 Also captured in under this phase of reconstruction are: the Assumpta-PortHarcourt Road; OkigweOkpara Road-Police Station Road; Control Post-World Bank–Umuguma Road; Okigwe Road-IMSU-Bishop Court Roundabout Road and the Concorde Boulevard Ring Road-Zuma–PH Road. To show that we mean business as usual, yesterday, we embarked on an aggressive flag-off of seven (7) of these projects.

5.4 Just last week, at Onuimo, Isu and Mbaitoli Local Government Areas, we flagged off one of the most ambitious rural road construction projects in the country. Valued at N13.5 billion the World Bank assisted Rural Access and Mobility Project (RAMP), involves over 70 rural road networks with a cumulative distance of 381 kilometers across most of the 27 Local Government Areas of the state. We met the project just on the drawing board, we immediately harnessed the necessary resources to pay the counterpart funding.

6.0 Security, Public Utilities and Social Services

6.1. Security in the State has been a big challenge since we assumed office. Pursuant to this, we have held several meetings with our Security Chiefs on how to chart the way forward. Accordingly, a few days ago, we launched Operation Iron Gate, as a strategic measure to combat crimes and criminalities as well as rid the State of all undesirable elements.

6.2 We have taken practical and sustained steps to get our health care delivery system in Imo working again. We have relaunched the stalled Health Insurance Scheme to connect effectively into the already existing federal government insurance scheme. We have also committed 1% of our Consolidated Revenue to this scheme. We are therefore confident that, in no distant time, a good percentage of our populace would have registered and started benefitting from the scheme.

6.3 Indeed, no meaningful industrialization can take place where there is poor power supply. Power supply in the state, over the years, has been limited by generation shortfalls as well as transmission and distribution deficiencies. Other hindrances include, the absence of modern electricity management systems and the non-exploitation of green technology in the energy mix.

6.4 Consequently, we have set up the Imo State Power and Rural Electrification Agency (I-POREA) to evolve strategies to remove barriers to adequate exploitation of our power generation potentials. We also empowered I-POREA to take advantage of the State’s natural gas and alternative energy resources to bridge the gap in access to electricity in the state. We have also made remarkable progress towards the restoration of electricity supply to some areas of the State where they were nonexistent in the last seven to eight years. This include, the replacement of 79 failed transformers across the State, completion of electricity supply to Inyishi Aluminum Extrusion Company and its environs as well as the Oguta 33kv line electricity project.

6.5 For several years, the Otamiri Water Supply was not functional and our people in the State capital and its environs suffered untold hardships. We have therefore, provided what was required to get it working again. Specifically, water started running again in Imo on 24th July, 2019 after almost seven(7) years of dry pipes. In the same vein, work is ongoing to rectify cases of burst pipes across the major roads. Similarly, when we assumed office, we discovered to our consternation that there was no functional fire-fighting equipment in the state. We took prompt and practical steps. Today, we have successfully repaired four firefighting trucks to restore the operations of Imo emergency and firefighting services.

6.6 We are tackling the housing deficit in the state by taking concrete steps towards repositioning Imo State Housing Corporation. We are entering into partnership with primary mortgage institutions such as Federal Mortgage Bank, the Family Homes Funds and other reputable private sector investors, towards providing 5000 affordable homes by the year 2023. We also have a Social Housing Initiative designed to create about 15,000 jobs in the next four years.

6.7 Since our assumption of office, we have carried out the renovation of the Odenigbo lodge which presently serves as the offices of the Governor and Deputy Governor and commenced the renovation of Commissioners’ quarters and quarters of security chiefs. We have also completed comprehensive enumeration of all public buildings in the state capital for accountability purposes.

7.0 Reviving Agriculture and Enhancing Food Value Chain

7.1 Pursuant to our resolve to harness our agricultural potentials as well as generate employment, just a few days ago, we launched our Agricultural Roadmap which represents a comprehensive framework for self-sufficiency in food production, both for domestic consumption and for exports purposes. By our strategic location at the heartland of the South East and our endowment with the only international cargo airport in the region, we are certain that with the right investments, the state would harvest monumental benefits in this sector.

7.2 I am happy also to report that the first batch of 500 youths selected from all the 27 LGAs in Imo State will be sent to a modern farm at Nasarawa State, in a few weeks, under the Imo Youths in Agribusiness Programme (IYAP). Here, they would learn the best practices in tropical agriculture, after which they will be supported to start their own businesses in Imo State.

7.3 We have also commenced the establishment of a Rice Seed Farm Cluster on the Imo River Basin at Amumara – Ezinihitte Mbaise LGA. This programme will make Imo State self-sufficient in the production of improved variety of rice seeds with a view to strengthening our rice value chain. Experts in rice breeding, production and processing from the Africa Rice Centre at IITA Ibadan will be training our groups of rural young farmers to grow and process improved rice seeds.

7.4 We have also commenced the introduction of light mechanization to farmers in areas where full tractorization may not be possible. This is intended to reduce the drudgery of farming and make it more efficient and attractive for the youths. Experts in power tillers, threshers etc. would soon arrive from the National Centre for Agricultural Mechanization (NCAM), Ilorin, to commence the pilot scheme. Specialists in light irrigation and water management have also been invited and I have released funds for equipment to pilot the teaching of youths on how to make use of our perennial water sources for an all-year-round production of crops.

7.5 The process for the rejuvenation of Imo ADP has commenced and plans are underway to train staff and reintegrate them back to intervention programmes that have suffered severe setbacks in the past as a preclude to granting access to reputable, time-tested investors.

7.6 It is noteworthy that, the Avutu Poultry Farm has been cleared for a full restoration to a world-class standard. Similarly, Adapalm is being cleared through the relevant Committee and we would soon commence operations. The challenge of pending legal issues is being attended in order to clear the way for full optimization of its potentials.

7.7 Our state is set to host the only Agribusiness Park in Nigeria at Ngor-Okpala. This comprises an agribusiness academy, and a smart agribusiness centre, thus positioning the facility for revenue generation and job creation. In a few weeks’ time, we would begin the process of data capture of afffected Imolites in the upcoming agriculture revolution program targeting 400,000 participants between the ages of 15-64.

8.0 Rebuilding our Sports facilities

8.1 In the area of sports development, you would agree with us that Imo State used to be the fishing ground for sporting talents. Many celebrated sports stars have emerged from our State. But in the last few years, even our Heartland Football Club and the Grasshoppers Handball Club have performed abysmally due to complete neglect.

8.2 The Dan Anyiam Stadium was completely broken down to the extent that NFF barred it from hosting matches and our football team, the heartland football club was nearly relegated from the Premiership as a result. Happily, our prompt intervention just before our inauguration arrested the slide. We have started re-grassing the Dan Anyiam Stadium, installing new flood lights, replacing the seats and constructing Olympic standard tartan tracks, while the Grasshoppers Stadium is beginning to wear a new look. Furthermore, local councils have joined the talent mining program of the state government through construction of sporting facilities in their respective local government areas.

9.0 Strategic Reforms to Enhance Investment

9.1 For years now, Imo State has been the ugly bride in the area of Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) in the country. No amount of moulding of statues can attract the needed investment in the state if the government lacks integrity and the enabling environment for both domestic and foreign investments is not there. Accordingly, we have designed a framework for implementing the necessary reforms to improve our place on the World Bank Ease of Doing Business ranking, which has taken a battering in the last eight years.

9.2 In a few weeks’ time, we would be inaugurating the Imo State Enabling Business Environment Council – ISEBEC. The Council, would draw up, implement and oversee an agenda for business process reforms. We have commenced initial engagement with development partners like the World Bank and DFID, to provide technical assistance to the Secretariat and related MDAs to implement the reforms.

9.3 As mentioned earlier, we are reworking the Tax Billing System (TBS), to stem the debate over multiple taxations and to restore transparency and accountability in our tax collection regime. In the coming days our Imo people will know exactly what taxes are due to them and how and where to pay such taxes.

9.4 The government has revamped the Imo State government Bureau of Public Procurement and Price Intelligence and appointed a Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Procurement and Supply as its Director-General. Thus far, the BPPPI has dusted and resurrected the State Public Procurement Law No.12 of 2010, which was kept moribund since its enactment. Similarly, we recently embarked on investment and trade promotion visits to the United Kingdom, Germany and others, where we interacted with prospective investors, development partners and donor agencies.

10.0 Getting the Pension Process Right once and for all

10.1. We inherited over 6 years of pension arrears and discovered baffling discrepancies in the total number of pensioners in both the State and the 27 Local Governments. Consequently, we are carrying out a comprehensive audit of the pension administration system in the State with a view to ascertaining the actual number of pensioners and ending the perennial cycle of verifications that has plagued the process. In a short while, the exercise will be concluded and all the troubles hitherto experienced by our senior citizens, would be a thing of the past. I assure you that this will be the last pension verification exercise in this state.

The Imo State Governor, his excellency Rt. Hon. Emeka Ihedioha is using Nokia Asha 302 that looks older than a 10 year old child. this man has been in the house of representatives for 12years, Chief whip of the HOR, deputy speaker of the HOR and acting Speaker of the HOR, yet he is not using the latest IPhone, holds his phone by himself, takes his personal call by himself unlike what we see in most public office holders of his class in Nigeria
Humility and prudence is the key.

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Kacyee Madu wins Edmonton-South West in tightly contested battleground


United Conservative Party candidate Kacyee Madu has been declared the winner in Edmonton-South West in a close race against John Archer of the New Democrat Party with 62 of 64 polls reporting.

Mo Elsalhy of the Alberta Party was a distant third.

Madu, 45, a Nigerian immigrant graduated with a Bachelor of Laws from the University of Lagos. He migrated to Canada in 2005 with his wife who enrolled in postgraduate studies at the University of Alberta.

He is only UCP MLA in Edmonton.

Archer, 48, a former journalist moved to Alberta from Thunder Bay and worked as a reporter for CBC for over 22 years.

Archer joined the Premier’s office communication team in 2015 and was Transport Minister Brian Mason’s press secretary.

62 of 64 polls reporting:

Kaycee Madu UCP 7,742

John Archer NDP 6,974

Mo Elsalhy AP 2,111

Marilyn Burns AAP 178

Rigel Vincent GPA 108

Email: dvandiest@postmedia.com




source: http://edmontonjournal.com/news/politics/results-kacyee-madu-wins-edmonton-south-west-in-tightly-contested-battleground

sounds logical, it would not have been this bad if not for the late announcement of the postponement. they are humans anyway and subject to human error. They should put everything to order and ensure Nigerians are happy with the outcome of the poll proper. God bless INEC, Godbless Nigeria

it's becoming glare

this postponement is not about INEC but about the FG and what they want, it's not a new thing that the FG controls all the institutions in the country, there is nothing like Independence any where. it was alledged in some quarters that The APC were planning to postpone the election few days ago, were you surprised by the incessant burnings of Election materials and killings? it was all orchestrated to give their plot a moral backing.
But this simply shows that our leaders do not think very well, election postponement rarely favours the incumbent
so don't blame INEC too much, Vote out incompetence

and where is your source

heaven have spoken, so shall it be... Amen

money is not every thing, APC thinks they have money to buy endorsements but I assure them, that won't save them from imminent defeat on come Saturday

Good for him, there eyes will soon open

Wike is always in the news, big mouthed

I didn't expect anything less for a woman who confirmed that ElRufai is her brother


Her pride will only relegate her to the dungeon of irrelevance.

Mrs Oby Ezekwesili resignation: Who is fooling who

16th of January 2019
Ezekwesili and Co showed their oratory prowess and motivational skills in a charade called the presidential debate.

17th of January 2019
Some educated and supposedly informed Nigerians took to the social media and other platforms to register their preference and endorsement of these orators.

24th of January 2019
One our the so called brightest (Madam OBY) stepped down from the race to support coalition to oust the major contenders

Minutes later, 24th January, 2019.
Her party ACPN rejected and denounced her and instead endorsed the ruling party APC

Minutes later, 24th January, 2019
Another Orator (Fela Durotoye) offered his willingness to support a coalition candidate even if it takes him stepping down for a preferred Candidate outside him.

It took APC 16 years with several coalitions to dislodge the PDP , now some "I too know" orators want to do it in 3weeks,so amazing

When we Said that the debate is a ploy by the ruling party to remain in power after 2019 some people said we were being sentimental

Now the point is clear, A vote for any coalition is a vote for the APC, my people wake up

Lord make me one of the financial giants that will emerge from Shiloh 2018. Amen

Let everything contrary to you in the life ofy family encounter supernatural vengeance in Jesus name.. Amen

Let Shiloh 2018 answer for it's Name(dominion) in Jesus name... Amen

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