IMHA OKAYS SIX MONTHS EXTENSION OF UZODINMA’S CHAIRMEN
•DISSAPOINTS LGA ASPIRANTS
The chances of intending Local Government Chairmen and aspirants going to the field for proper Concils’ election have been dashed to the wind, following a fresh extension of the tenure of the incumbent Interim Management Committee, IMC, Chairmen, appointed by Imo State Governor, Senator Hope Uzodinma.
The IMC Chairmen have been given another six months grace to pilot the affairs of their LGAs, pending when an election is conducted.
In its plenary session of Tuesday, the State House of Assembly okayed an extension of office of the Chairmen by six months.
Speaker of the House, Rt. Hon. Paul Emeziem read out the letter sent to the House by Governor Uzodinma.
The letter sought for Legislative approval to elongate the duration of the IMC Chairmen by six months.
While reading out the Executive letter, it was pointed out that the outcome of the nationwide ENDSARS protest needed Chairmen to take charge of the security, administrative and infrastructural development in their respective LGAs.
Also, the letter pointed out that it would be an aberration for a tier of Government like the LGA to stay without a Chairman to oversee the affairs of the Council Headquarters, hence the need to extend their stay until a fresh election is held.
However, that request was given a nod by the Majority of the Members.
Meanwhile, hope of aspirants jostling for the position of the LGA Chairmen have been dashed to the wind with this development.
It could be recalled that at the inaugural speech of Uzodinma, he promised to conduct LGA elections within some months.
Hearing that, people started making arrangements to vie for the seat, not until the Governor appointed his crop of IMC Chairmen and members.
It is the second time tenure of his IMC Chairmen were extended.
LAWMAKERS WANT GOVERNOR RENAME OCHIEDIKE DIAGNOSTIC CENTRE
•TO INVITE ISRAELI PARTNERS
•AS KENNEDY IBEH LEADS DEBATE
Members of Imo State House of Assembly, 9th House, have pushed for the renaming of Ochiedike Dialysis and Diagnostic Centre, Owerri, and to reinvent the medical outfit to functioning.
The health facility is situated along Heroes Square, new Owerri.
Recall, Ochiedike Diagnostic Centre, Owerri, owned by the State Government, and managed by Israeli Technical Partners was established during the first tenure of the former Governor, Senator Rochas Okorocha.
In a motion moved by the member representing Obowo State Constituency in IMHA, Rt. Hon. Kennedy Ibeh during the Tuesday’s plenary, he asked that the name “Ochiedike Diagnostic Centre” be changed to “Owerri Specialist Diagnostic Centre”.
He also prayed that Governor Hope Uzodinma, as a matter of urgency invite back the Israeli Technical Partners, in order to get the place working again.
Leading the debate, Rt. Hon. Ibeh noted that the State Government invested hugely in getting the health facility to an Internationally standard position it was, as well as generated lot of revenue for the State.
He decried that all the sophisticated medical equipment installed in Ochiedike Centre were left fallow, when the place should have been operating fully for the purposes it was established.
“Noting that such services as the MRI and other vital services rendered by the Centre are now being sought after from the Diagnostic Centre in our neighbouring State like; Rivers and Abia States as the private diagnostic centres in the State are not equipped to the level Ochiedike was installed;
“Observing that the continuance of the situation would not help Imo State in rendering reliable medical services in the State “.
The seconder of the motion, Rt. Hon. Ngozi Obiefule added that sentiments apart, if Government reboost the place, it would serve a great need to both the masses and to Government in terms of good medical name and IGR.
After the debate, the House resolved to abide by the prayers of the motion, and urged the Government to rename the place, as well as invite the Israeli Partners for the best result expected of a medical centre.
IMO ASSEMBLY PASSES CONFIDENCE VOTE ON GOV UZODINMA
•OGBUAGU, IWUANYANWU, EGWIM, OBINNA HAPPY WITH CRANEBURG COY
Governor Hope Uzodinma of Imo State have been commended for his leadership style, especially for the recent flag-off of the reconstruction of the Owerri-Orlu and Owerri -Okigwe Roads.
Uzodinma bagged the commendation by the Members of the Imo State House of Assembly, following a motion moved by the Majority Leader and member representing Ikeduru Constituency, Hon. Uche Ogbuagu.
Ogbuagu stated that the Governor has continued to live up to his principle of “Hopism”, where Governance meets with the people.
He described Uzodinma as the first Governor to flag-off such a humongous project in the State, and by awarding the contract to a World class construction Company, ‘Craneburg’.
According to Ogbuagu, Past Governors were known for giving contracts to their brothers, friends and relatives, but Uzodinma has come with a new well accepted idea of engaging professionals.
The comedian turned lawmaker added that the 15% take off fund shows his level of probity, transparency and confidence.
Lending his voice, the Deputy Speaker and member for Nwangele State Constituency, Rt. Hon. Amarachi Chyna Iwuanyanwu commended the Governor for matching his words with action, which has kept Imolites agog.
Commenting on Craneburg Company, the Deputy Speaker revealed that the same company has been in charge of majorly all the construction works done by the Lagos State Government.
He said above all, Craneburg delivered within the specified period of eighteen months with a 39-years life span.
Iwuanyanwu enlightened that the Epe 1 and 2 roads, Owo, Ilesha-Akure road, Anambra airport are some of the constructions done by Craneburg.
Further eulogising the Governor, Iwuanyanwu described Julius Berger Company as ‘old cargo’ which has a more qualified and reliable competitor in Craneburg construction company.
The soft spoken Lawmaker therefore expressed optimism that by the time administration of Governor Hope Uzodinma would end, Imo people would have every reason to smile and be satisfied with the 3R Government.
Hon. Arthur Egwim, member for Ideato North, and Chief Whip in the 9th House opined that Uzodinma is leaving no stone unturned in giving Ndi Imo a deserved Governance.
Contributing to the debate, the Lawmaker representing Aboh Mbaise, Hon. Eddy Obinna who was at the flag-off said that what Hope Uzodinma is giving to Imo people is quality roads, not China roads.
Hon. Eddy Obinna avered that in fulfilling his promise, all roads in dire need of construction are recieving the required attention, a mark of a true leader.
Ochoudo seized the opportunity to ask that the Owerri-Mbaise-Umuahia Road be added in the reconstruction work, and, to be done by Craneburg for quality sake.
He said, “Senator Hope Uzodinma is not a clannish Governor, I pray the good work be extended to Owerri-Mbaise-Umuahia Road”.
The House later resolved “To commend His Excellency, Senator Hope Uzodinma for matching words with action by commencing the reconstruction of Owerri-Orlu and Owerri-Okigwe to extent of 55km;
“Be it also resolved to commend His Excellency for choosing a reputable Construction Company in the Country, Craneburg to do these Owerri-Orlu and Owerri-Okigwe roads to double coated Asphalt with drainage and a guarantee for 39 years”.
CHIJI COLLINS RESUMES LEGISLATIVE ACTIVITIES
Few weeks after the impeachment of former Speaker, Imo State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Chiji Collins Chimezie, Trumpeta Assembly Vibes reports that he has resumed fully for Legislative business.
Chiji Collins represents Isiala Mbano State Constituency in the State Parliament.
People had thought after his impeachment, he may not be reporting to the Assembly complex, talk more of taking active part in the business of Lawmaking.
But, that is not true, as the chubby Legislator reports on every sitting day, like every other elected Member.
Another uncertainty that trailed Chiji’s sack from the position of the number one Imo Lawmaker was whether he would be in good term with the Governor, Hope Uzodinma, as it was believed the Governor may have not protected him from being impeached.
Lo and behold, the last plenary session doused all frayed nerves as he contributed to the motion under debate.
While the motion calling for the commendation of Governor Uzodinma was on a serious debate, the Former Speaker said,
“Governor Uzodinma works with great minds, and I have no doubt that he made no mistake in contracting Craneburg for the reconstruction of the roads”.
He however expressed happiness that his Constituency road, Amaraku was along the same Owerri-Okigwe road.
