…As Gov Okorocha Embarks on Sensitization Tour to LGs
The Community Government proposed by Governor Rochas Okorocha in Imo
state has taken off with the governor embarking on a sensitization
tour to some Local Government Areas in the state
At the flag off of the programme at the headquarters of Mbaitoli,
Njaba, Orlu, Ideato South and Ideato North LGAs, the governor told
civil servants, traditional rulers and other stakeholders that the
establishment of the community government was to unlock the economic
potentials of the rural communities left untapped for many years.
He disclosed that the state civil servants would pioneer the
establishment of the fourth-tier government on the grounds of civil
service secondment policy and would hand over the reins of
administration to the permanent staff after few years of tutelage to
the latter.
Owelle Okorocha who enjoined the people of the state to embrace this
novel policy stated that the take off of the fourth-tier of government
became necessary to revive the agricultural potential of the people of
the state especially the planting of the palm tree adding that great
cities of the world grew from the ranks of rural areas.
He urged the traditional rulers, who are also designated chairmen of
this community government, to live up to the expectations of the
state government in ensuring the socio-economic development of their
communities adding that high performing ones would be elevated in
ranks.
Imo governor also enjoined the people of the communities to
collaborate with the civil servants in lifting their plight and
pleaded that the returnee civil servants should be provided with
conducive working environment.
He equally revealed that plans are being made to establish factories
in every community in the state as government has concluded
arrangements to start a job-placement programme for graduates where
youths would be attached to companies and establishments with monthly
stipends from the government.
It would be recalled that the state governor in recent fora had
explained the essence of the fourth-tier government to the people of
the state.
The controversy generated by this policy had erupted due to the
misconception that civil servants posted to the communities would lose
their place in the state civil service and would rely on their
communities for salaries and emoluments.
However, the governor’s sensitization programme and consultations with
labour leaders seem to have doused the tensions generated by the novel
policy.
