Imo State governor, Hope Uzodinma, has announced forfeiture of his security vote to enable him meet up with the economic challenges in the state, especially the payment of salaries and pension.
The governor spoke when he met with the Imo Economic Development Initiative, led by Professor Maurice Iwu, at government House in Owerri, adding that he took the decision because of paucity of funds.
He also revealed that his next plan was to establish Power and Petrochemical plants, to boost electricity supply in the state.
According to the statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Oguwike Nwachukwu, Imo State Governor, Senator Hope Uzodinma has stated his vision to establish power and Petrochemical plants to enable the state take advantage of the huge oil and gas deposits in the Ohaji/Egbema/Oguta axis.
Nwachukwu said: “Governor Uzodinma noted that industrialization cannot thrive when power is epileptic, assuring that a power plant is top on his agenda. Only the best brains shall be appointed to serve in my cabinet.
“We are reviewing the budget earlier passed by the state House of Assembly with a view to streamlining it with current realities. The Governor, for instance, further cited the building of 27 stadia across the 27 LGAs, saying that the funds could have been applied more meaningfully to benefit the people.
On his intension to run an open and transparent administration, Governor Uzodinma disclosed that Town Hall meetings are to hold at the various councils where stakeholders shall brainstorm to identify their realistic needs.
“The Governor also announced plans to launch a special security outfit to smoke out criminals, revealing that over 100 vehicles have been procured for the purpose. In his words, a “new Sheriff is in town and I must deliver.”
In his message to the governor, Iwu said: “Our group is prepared to partner with Governor Uzodinma on how to seek funds in view of limited resources available in Imo. Governor Uzodinma’s emergence is victory for the state and the time to implement governance is now as the period of electioneering is over.
“It is not an accident you are governor.We have four key areas for Governor Uzodinma’s critical attention harnessing of the gas potentials of the state, exploration of Information and Communication Technology, Enhancement of Internally Generate Revenue and Embracing of Imo Diaspora citizen.
“The Imo Economic Development Initiative comprises notable Imo citizens in business , academia and Public Service and Entrepreneurship.”