The Journey so far – Gov.Rochas Okorocha speaks on his stewardship in Imo.
The governor of Imo state, Rochas Okorocha, says that his administration is creating massive projects within few months of its inception due to the adoption of the culture of prudence and sacrifice as against the past culture of heavy spending on recurrent expenditure and inappropriate spending.
He said this while briefing journalists in the state on his stewardship and projections of activities in to the Imo people, titled “The Journey So Far” at his country home, Ogboko, Ideato South LGA.
Governor Okorocha said that with the approval of the N224billion 4-year capital development plan by the State Assembly, the state government would construct 425 kilometre rural roads, dualize all roads leading to the cities of Orlu, Okigwe and Owerri, construct 27 new well-equipped general hospitals and a five-star hotel each in the three cities of the state.
He further projected that part of the funds would be allotted to construction of modern markets and industries in parts of the state, Imo Airline, a Monumental Tower and schools.
Owelle Okorocha stressed that the present administration, feeling the pulse of the people, is fixing schools, improving the health facilities, creating industries, as well as completing the abandoned projects in the state.
Governor Okorocha recalled that beyond forfeiting his security votes for free education the state government is constructing 305 12-classroom blocks, training its teachers for best performance, and is assisting private and mission schools to thrive.
He added that the Imo State University which monthly subvention has been increased to N100million is being relocated to its permanent site in Ideato South LGA, two standard hostels at the state polytechnic is being constructed as well as the accreditation of the school’s 17 courses.
The Imo State governor also said that the Adapalm has been revitalized while the Avutu Poultry Farm, Nsu Tiles, Okigwe Clay Industry and the State Shoe Industry would soon be resume productions, as well as the establishment of 10 agricultural processing industries – all these, according to him, will create over 30, 000 jobs for Imo people.
The governor further said that the Imo Concorde Hotel is being refurbished to make it reclaim its five-star status while the sum of N350million is being injected to the Oguta Lake of Treasure to make it the tourism haven of the West African sub-region.
Imo first citizen disclosed that arrangements has been concluded to relocate the state police headquarters and the prisons complex and also build two bridges across the Nwaorie River in the Owerri Metropolis.
Governor Okorocha however bemoaned the challenges of excessive recurrent expenditures in the state, the bottlenecks in bureaucracy and the financial leakages in government projects. Concluding, the governor who revealed that the state government would establish a college of education in Okigwe zone, insisted that “Imo Must be Better”.
Written & Submitted by:
Modestus Okafor For:SSA Media to the Governor 30th December, 2011.