Imo moves to borrow N10b for road projects

• Engages 250 on Imo traffic management job
• New CP resumes, vows to restore peace, stability in state

Imo State Government has approached the management of Access Bank Plc to borrow N10 billion to finance two ongoing road projects in the state. The state’s Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Declan Emelumba, who disclosed this while briefing journalists, yesterday, after the Executive Council meeting presided over by Governor Hope Uzodimma at the Government House, Owerri, said the decision was taken to augment the funding of N55 billion Owerri­–Okigwe and Owerri–Orlu dualisation road projects, adding that repayment would be made from the Internally-Generated Revenue (IGR) within the next 12 months.

According to the commissioner, the executive council held that the funds would be paid directly to the coffers of the construction firm, Craneburg Construction Company.

Also, Emelumba said that the Council had approved the immediate constitution, funding and take-off of the Imo State Transport Management Agency (ISTMA), adding that 250 members of staff of the Imo State Civil Guard has been approved for conversion into the new agency.

The commissioner, who spoke on the recent attack on the country home of Governor Uzodimma by some hoodlums, said the council condemned it in strong terms, commending the efforts of some gallant security operatives who repelled them.

He said the council sympathised with both the governor and the extended family on the trauma they might have gone through.

The commissioner also said that the council had sent condolences to the families and friends of those who lost their dear ones during the killings and attacks by some gunmen, saying that the state government would assist them to cushion the effects and pains incurred.

MEANWHILE, the newly-posted Imo State Commissioner of Police, Abutu Yaro, has officially resumed duty. Yaro, who spoke with newsmen shortly after receiving handover note from his predecessor, Nasiru Muhammad, at the Command Headquarters, Owerri, yesterday, said he would work to restore peace and stability in the state.

He also sought partnership of the media practitioners in the state, stressing that the enormous security challenge in state requires collective engagement of all and sundry to surmount.

The Imo CP also tasked media men on patriotism and against eulogising criminality through their reporting, warning that such act hampers efforts that guarantee peace and progress of the state.