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Probe of past governments not affecting governance in Imo, Insists Ihedioha

By Innocent Anoruo
24 August 2019   |   3:10 am
Governor Emeka Ihedioha has said that the review of the activities of past administrations in Imo State, especially the eight years of Rochas Okorocha, is in no way affecting governance in the Eastern Heartland.

Imo State governor-elect, Emeka Ihedioha

Governor Emeka Ihedioha has said that the review of the activities of past administrations in Imo State, especially the eight years of Rochas Okorocha, is in no way affecting governance in the Eastern Heartland.

His Special Assistant, Lagos Liaison Office, Naeto Chikwe, and the state’s Liaison Officer in Lagos, Anthony Abili, told newsmen yesterday that real governance had been going on in the state despite the probe.

According to the governor, blaming past administrations is not a good governance practice, but diagnosis of an illness is a first step to the cure.

He said, however, that his administration would not go all the way in probing previous administrations, but wanted to lay a template from which to launch out.

“We encountered daunting challenges trying to stabilise governance because of the rot we met. So, we are trying to get some sanity into governance in Imo.

“The Treasury Single Account (TSA), which was ignored in the past four years, has been introduced in Imo for adequate planning and transparency.

“The Rebuild Imo Agenda is focusing on good governance. We have allowed council funds to go directly to the council administrators, so that we can hold them responsible for any misappropriation,” he stated.

Ihedioha explained why he decided to purchase vehicles from Ford, against expectations that he would have patronised Innoson Vehicle Manufacturing Company, an indigenous firm based in Nnewi, Anambra State.

“When people say Ford, you think of America. The major Ford dealer in Nigeria is Coscharis Motors, which has a plant for repairs. The gentleman behind Coscharis, Cosmas Maduka, is from Imo. So, there is a deliberate attempt to support Imo indigenes and their businesses. Besides, the vehicles in question are of high quality.”

The Guardian, however, learned that the state has a deeper relationship with Ford Foundation.

Abili, who was part of Ihedioha’s transition technical committee, hinted that “Ford Foundation is in partnership with the state” to actualise the blueprint prepared by the transition committee.

Meanwhile, the governor has explained that before his administration came on board, Imo was ranking 36th in ease of doing business among the states of the federation, which scared investors from the state.

He disclosed his efforts in reviving moribund infrastructure and industries like Adapalm and Obete Poultry Farm with the aid of local and foreign investors and agencies.

“We have begun to engage various multilateral agencies and embassies here in Lagos, trying to get to the business community and we have had successful discussions. Foreign investors from Japan and other countries have come in and shown interest.”

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