Uzodinma sets up security outfit for Imo, promises to grant LG autonomy

Hope Uzodinma, governor of Imo, says the state will witness prosperity under his leadership.

Speaking during his maiden broadcast on Wednesday, Uzodinma announced the establishment of a security outfit code-named – ‘North East West (NEW)’ for the state.

He said the era of “executive lawlessness and neo-feudalism, in the state is gone forever”.

In a statement by Oguwike Nwachuku, his chief press secretary, the governor listed policy measures that his administration intends to apply to achieve the dream of a “new Imo”.

Uzodinma said his vision for the state is predicated on freedom, security and shared prosperity, and that the situation of things at present indicates that Imo requires fundamental reform to forge a new trajectory.

“To achieve his vision of Rehabilitation, Reconstruction and Recovery, Governor Uzodinma directed the overhaul of the bureaucratic structures to entrench strict adherence to extant laws, procedures and statutes to achieve efficient service delivery. He assured of prompt payment of salaries, pensions and other statutory obligations,” the statement read.

On education, the governor said his administration will establish the Imo State Education Opportunity Programme (ISEOP) focused on skill acquisition, innovation, manpower development and entrepreneurship.

He said the programme is with a view to producing a new generation of graduates equipped for immediate employment and self-reliance.

For the health sector, Uzodinma promised to pursue a policy of comprehensive medicare with primary and preventive components “which shall achieve 75% coverage of the populace across the 27 LGAs within the first two years”.

“In this vein, the state shall recruit 850 Community Health Workers, renovate and equip Community Health Centres in the 305 wards, procure modern diagnostic equipment, including CT scan and mobile X-ray as well as provide Rapid Response Ambulance Services (RAMS) at the Zonal Hospitals and Central Rural health Centres,”  he said.

The governor also pledged to restore autonomy to the local government, and promised that a credible council election would be conducted in due course.

He said a forensic audit of the state’s finances will be carried out to establish Imo’s true financial status.

“To channel the economy to massive growth and job creation, Governor Uzodinma pledged to focus on Mainstream Macro-economic programmes based on his “3R Algorism”—Recovery of damaged economic structures, re-construction of core infrastructure and rehabilitation of component micro-economic institutions with the overall aim of achieving rapid economic diversification through ‘Backward integration’ involving a synergy of Rural-urban paradigm shift from a core public-sector-driven economy to Public-Private-Partnership (PPP),” the statement read.

“Governor Uzodinma also announced the establishment of a State Economic and Rehabilitation Council (SEDARC) to redress the fiscal and infrastructural deficits militating against economic development in the state.

“Additionally, the Council has the mandate to recover missing public assets as well as co-ordinate a forensic investigation into the finances of the state to establish the true financial status as at January 13, 2020; together with the recovery of all illegally acquired private lands to enable their return to their rightful owners.

“To boost the security architecture of Imo State, the Governor announced the establishment of a new Neighborhood Security outfit code-named “North East West” (NEW) involving a coordinated network of community intelligence-gathering programme to complement the conventional security Agencies. The Governor declared that Imo shall become uncomfortable for criminals with the launch of “Operation Flush Out Criminals” (FOC)”