8.4 C
New York
Friday, March 29, 2024

Gov Okorocha Approves N3b Take-Off Grant For Community Government

Published:

LATEST NEWS

- Advertisement -

Imo State governor, Owelle Rochas Okorocha has approved N5 million
Naira for each community totaling about N3 billion Naira as a take-off
grant for the fourth-tier government christened Community Government
Council [CGC].

Governor Okorocha who disclosed this in a meeting with stakeholders
and senior civil servants at Ahiajoku Convention Center, Owerri, said
the fund will be deployed to communities under the management of the
civil servants that will form the administrative wing of the
fourth-tier government.

He said the fund would be invested largely on agriculture, adult
education and other micro projects that will fast-track development at
the grassroots.
“I am pleased to announce to you that as part of measures to
kick-start the fourth-tier government, the state government has
approved the sum of five million Naira for each community as a
take-off grant.  The fund will be deployed to specific areas like
agriculture to fast -track development at the rural areas.   It will
be the responsibility of the civil servants that will be posted to
form the administrative wing of this government to manage the fund as
appropriated” Governor Okorocha said.

Governor Okorocha stated 3,000 [three thousand] civil servants will be
deployed from the 27 local government areas and state civil service
for immediate take-off of the Fourth-tier government even as the
communities have been mandated to provide temporary offices for the
workers.

READ ALSO  In Anambra, Fire Service Intervenes, Averts Major Danger, As Petrol Tanker Crashes, Spills Its Contents

He said that the governing council which will serve as an advisory
body will still retain the traditional ruler as Chairman with
community Liaison Officer [CLO], President-General, Woman and Youth
leaders as members.

Governor Okorocha disclosed that his administration has set up a
Judicial Panel of Inquiry to screen traditional rulers with a view to
dropping those with dirty records owing to their direct involvement in
governance.

“Because of the direct involvement of traditional rulers in this
fourth-tier government, the state government has decided to revisit
the past records of the traditional rulers to drop those that don’t
deserve to be part of this new arrangement. The essence is to ensure
that this lofty idea is successfully carried out without any
impediment from anybody including some of the traditional rulers with
past dirty records.  It will also mark the end of an era where
criminals dominate our revered traditional institution”  Governor
Okorocha said.

The governor who also announced the abolishment of Town Unions in the
state, further explained that decentralization through the community
government will checkmate corruption in the system, involve key
stakeholders in the business of governance and guarantee development
at the rural areas.

Governor Okorocha also declared war against kidnappers and criminals
in the state and announced a handsome reward of N1 million to whoever
that volunteers useful information that ultimately lead to the arrest
of a suspected kidnapper and N200,000 for armed robbers.

READ ALSO  Anambra-born Legendary Actor, Amaechi Muonagor Dies

He explained that the step is one of the strategies mapped out to
address the problems of insecurity which he said has continued to
scare away foreign investors as well as slow down the pace of
development in the state.

In his contribution, the Chairman Imo State Council of Traditional
Rulers, Eze Sam Ohiri urged the organized labour to join hands with
Governor Okorocha whom he said has shown enough commitment to
transform the state.

He enjoined them to desist from raising unnecessary controversies
over the proposed fourth-tier government and redeployment of some
civil servant to the communities which he also admitted would
encourage development at the grassroots.

The Speaker, Imo State House of Assembly, Hon Ben Uwajimogu assured
that the legislature will give the fourth-tier the necessary legal
backing it deserves  hence it is conceived to boost development at the
rural communities as well as promote good governance.

In his remarks, Chief Judge of Imo State,  Justice Benjamin Njemanze
urged the legislature to enact the enabling laws to give  legal
backing to the proposed fourth-tier in line with the constitution of
the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

Hey there! Exciting news - we've deactivated our website's comment provider to focus on more interactive channels! Join the conversation on our stories through Facebook, Twitter, and other social media pages, and let's chat, share, and connect in the best way possible!

Join our social media

For even more exclusive content!

spot_imgspot_imgspot_img

Of The Week
CARTOON

TOP STORIES

- Advertisement -

Of The Week
CARTOON

247Ureports Protects its' news articles from plagiarism as an important part of maintaining the integrity of our website.