Ihedioha, Emmanuel pledge transparency, compentence in Imo, Akwa Ibom

Governor Emeka Ihedioha has promised to run an open administration in Imo State, just as his Akwa Ibom counterpart, Udom Emmanuel, pledged to make appointments strictly on merit.

Delivering a keynote address at a three-day retreat for members-elect of the Imo House of Assembly at Oguta, Ihedioha cautioned the lawmakers against creation of more autonomous communities, as he would not be a part of such arrangement.

At the event, attended the state Chief Judge, Justice Paschal Nnadi; former speaker of the legislature, Nnaemeka Maduagwu; erstwhile deputy speaker, Chuma Nnaji and others, the government vowed to enthrone qualitative education, sound agricultural policies, including planting four million palm seeds in the next one year, as well as restoration of Owerri metropolis master plan and sanitation and review of all land allocated in the last eight years.

He urged the legislators to discharge their duties strictly in accordance with their core mandate of legislation, representation and oversight.

His words: “I will always be courageous to call a spade a spade. We have been set back beyond eight years. If we must compete with a state like Abia, we must do four million palms in the next one year.

“My dear brothers and sisters, governance is not rocket science. We have to work to liberate our state.”

Ihedioha hinted that a supplementary budget would be available in a week to address some urgent issues like the provision of his official residence and that of his deputy as well as the fixing of the leaky state House of House of Assembly complex.