- * Set To Announce New Cabinet Soon
- As State Govt Okays More Development Centres
By Celestine Okafor (Editor-in-Chief), Just Back From Owerri
Imo State Governor, Senator Hope Odidika Uzodimma, is set to launch the new Imo State Security outfit which was put together by the governor in the wake of the security crisis that rocked Imo some months ago.
The new security outfit, according to the Imo State Commissioner for Information and and Strategy, Declan Emelumba, who spoke on Thursday, shortly after the State Executive Council meeting held at the Douglas House Government Lodge in Owerri, the state capital, will be launched on Tuesday, November 30, 2021.
The new security organization, Emelumba said, will likely merge with the local vigilante bodies and the Community Policing network.
Imo State has reasonably experienced calm and relative peace in recent times since governor and and his security advisers and chieftains in the state adopted strategic measures to curtail the rampant incidences of violent attacks and general insecurity that had robed the state it's acclaimed peace. Among these measures adopted by Uzodimma, was the establishment and training of personnel that would form the operational team of the new security outfit which will be launched on November 30th.
Ahead of the launching, however, the Imo State Government has ensured adequate 24-hour strong security patrol of the urban cities and local communities of Imo state. As at Sunday evening all through Wednesday this week, a detachment of well armed, battle-ready and well kitted security operatives combed the whole streets of Owerri township and adjourning towns.
Residents of Owerri town who barred their minds to this news medium, were of the consensus view that the presence of the security patrol in the streets has restored hope for peace and public safety of the citizens. They were however optimistic that if this security efforts will be sustained by the government, the violent insurgency experienced in recently by the state would be a thing of the past.
But the residents were however of the view that governor Uzodimma's administration is still falling short of the public expectation in terms of the provision of the dividends of democracy, despite the limiting challenges encountered by the regime. All the same, they urged the governor buckle up as time is of the essence.
NIGERIAN NEWSLEADER Newspaper Correspondent monitored the patrols by the security operatives who moved in long APC (Armoured Personnel Carrier) convoys along the streets of Owerri. They were sighted patrolling through the West End axis of Owerri, Okigwe road, Eke Ukwu market and Wetheral areas and Concord Hotel road, etc.
In another development however, there are strong indication that governor Hope Uzodimma will soon reconstitute his cabinet any moment from now. NIGERIAN NEWSLEADER exclusively gathered in Owerri, the Imo State capital midweek, that the governor has perfected the final list of his new cabinet members and has forwarded the list to the State House of Assembly for consideration and approval.
This news medium also gathered from inside government sources in Owerri that governor Uzodimma was very careful in selecting "trusted candidates" who were said to have made the list of the new cabinet, especially now that the governor, according to the source, is geared towards consolidating his government after the initial insecurity distraction that appeared to have slowed down the pace of activities of his government.
The source told NIGERIAN NEWSLEADER during the week thus: "I can confirm to you that the governor's new cabinet Commissioners and Advisers will come on board soon. The list is ready and the governor was very careful and painstaking this time in making his choice. I have no doubt that he has gotten his bearing right, especially as he has plans to leave an enduring legacy of achievements in Imo state in the remaining part of his first term in office.
"I can also confirm to you that the State Assembly is already in receipt of the list of people that have made it to the new cabinet. Though there are some trusted, hard-working, former cabinet members and Special Advisers who may likely be named soon as part of the new cabinet. We don't know their names yet, but certainly, we shall know them soon. But l can assure you that the governor is totally in charge of his government now after the security crisis that made him to desolve his former cabinet", the source further revealed.
Meanwhile, the Imo Government has also okayed the take-off of 50 Development Centres across the state. This measure is aimed at bringing government closer to the nook and crannies of the state.
The Imo state Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Chief Declan Emelumba, disclosed on Thursday that the number of Development Centres in the state will be increased from 44 to 50. He pointed out that Town Union Presidents will be members of Development Centres where the community falls into. He also explained that the involvement of Town Union Presidents is to bring the Government closer to the people of Imo state. NNL.
