OKOROCHA WILL ACCOUNT FOR HIS STEWARDSHIP —IHEDIOHA INSISTS
Former Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Chief Emeka Ihedioha, has been sworn in as the sixth democratically elected Governor of Imo State.
At the inauguration, which held at the Dan Anyiam Stadium Owerri, Chief Ihedioha promised to run an all-inclusive administration that would be anchored on rule of law, transparency and accountability to actualize the yearnings of the people.
Chief Gerald Irona, who is also a former member of the House of Representatives, took oath of office of the Deputy Governor of the state in the colourful event that was attended by former governors of the state, serving and former members of the National Assembly, former Governor Peter Obi and the President General Ohaneze Ndigbo, Dr. Nnia Nwodo, among other dignitaries.
It was indeed a memorable and exciting event as residents of Imo state trooped to the Dan Anyiam Stadium Owerri to witness the inauguration of Chief Emeka Ihedioha as the sixth civilian Governor of Imo State.
Chief Judge of the State, Justice Paschal Nnadi, administered oath of office and allegiance to the Governor and his Deputy.
Chief Ihedioha was thereafter driven round in a motorcade to inspect guard of honour mounted by the police and other paramilitary agencies before climbing a state box to take salute to perform his first official assignment.
In a speech that lasted more than one hour, Chief Ihedioha noted that he would tackle infrastructural challenges and review the education policy of the Okorocha-led administration with a view to providing qualitative learning in the state.
He said he would embark on civil service reforms, pay attention to human capital development, revive agricultural sector and ensure free health care for children under the age of five as well as those above seventy years.
The Governor stated that he was in a hurry to recover and rebuild the state, hence public spirited individuals and philanthropists would be encouraged to contribute their quota to achieve the objective.
Chief Ihedioha lamented nonpayment of pensions amounting to billions of naira and neglect of strategic roads, which had made life unbearable to the people.
Chief Ihedioha said his administration would not witch hunt anybody but insisted that former governor Rochas Okorocha and others who served in his administration would be made to account for some of their actions to ensure sanity in governance.
Chief Ihedioha explained that communities would be made to identify their needs and forward same to the government to guide its policies, noting that Owerri-Umuahia road, Owerri-Okigwe, Owerri-Orlu and Owerri-Port Harcourt roads would be constructed dual carriage ways to ease movement.
CHINAZO ILECHUKWU