Governor Okorocha approves 4th tier of government.

Governor Rochas Okorocha of Imo state has approved the establishment of Community Council Government to function as 4th Tier government in the state.

Speaking in an interactive section of a meeting held with the Imo State Traditional Rulers at Concorde Hotel, Owerri, Governor Okorocha emphasized on the need to drive the government to the grassroot in order to achieve proper community development.

Gov. Okorocha who disclosed on the decision of the state
administration to release subvention to boost a smooth running of the Council Government said the 4th Tier government shall be governed by its community traditional rulers.

He explained on the laws backing the establishment of council
government which he said was already written in the Nigerian
constitution but have been ignored for years, added that the decision to run council government in the state was passed into bill by the State House of Assembly.

Gov. Okorocha maintained that the new government would go a long way to transfer leadership to traditional rulers in the state who would be held responsible for every action in his community.

He argued that establishing the government at community level would create a healthy competition among Ndi Eze and enhances their performance.  Pointing out that this is the only way to get community system right and actualize development at the grassroot.

Governor Okorocha highlighted on the organogram of the council government which he said flows from the Eze as its head, office of a secretary, in addition to that of a youth and a woman leader which are subject to election by option A4.

He also stressed on major conditions contained in the constitution that certified a people to be a community which he listed viz:

–       The  community must have or ensure the establishment of a Community Church, Hall,      1000 square meter market and,

–   10 rooms administrative blocks in addition to basic population of 5,000 people and stated that communities that did not meet up with the above stipulated conditions would lose its Ezeship, subvention and have their community scraped down.

The governor however commended the efforts of the traditional rulers so far, asserted that a great change has taken place both in their conducts and attitude and charged them to ensure the success and growth of the 4th tier government in their domain.

In his remark, the Chairman, Imo State Council of Traditional Rulers, Eze Samuel Ohiri congratulated Governor Okorocha on his well deserved victory at Appeal Court and for the provision of adequate security in the state which he testified ensured the safety of Imo citizens who returned home for Christmas celebration.

Present at the meeting were; the Speaker, Imo State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Ben Uwajimogu, SSG, Prof. Anthony Anwuka, State Deputy Governor, Sir. Jude Agbaso, members of the State Legislature and enlarged Executives among others.

Omeoga Ugonma
For:  SSA to the Governor (Media)