Imo State Deputy Governor, Prof. Placid Njoku has called on the All Progressives Congress (APC) leaders in Ikeduru Local Government Area to sheath their swords, come together, unite and seek the way forward for the development of the area.
The deputy governor made the call during a conflict resolution and peace talk meeting he called for all APC Ikeduru leaders, at his country home, Amaimo Ikeduru LGA.
Prof. Njoku who was seen radiating with joy at the success of the meeting, stated that the days of war and division in Ikeduru APC are over, adding that a new dawn has begun in the history of lkeduru.
The state number two citizen stressed that the Governor, Senator Hope Uzodinma is working tirelessly to put Imo State on good books and position it as the most competitive state in the country. He also enjoined the party leaders in the area to join forces with the governor for the development of the area and state in general, instead of fighting one another.
On the issue of roads, the deputy governor disclosed that the administration of Senator Hope Uzodinma has come to work.
” We are looking at very strategic roads, we have even gone along to bring Julius Berger into those roads and Ikeduru people should be glad that one of the roads is one that has been given us sleepless nights. After Julius Berger must have handled that Ekemele road, the area will now be remembered fo r economic development and not as an impassable road”.
On salaries and pensions, the deputy governor decried the level of impunity going on in the state civil service, which he said the present administration is working tirelessly to address.
The Governor is working on computing salaries and pensions so that everyone that earns from the state government will be computerized. We are trying to fix problems people have put in the system for so long, where one person earns salary from three different accounts with same BVN, and another situation where someone earns salary and still receives pension. All these will be econciled soon”.
Speaking on education, Prof. Njoku who was of the opinion that a university defines a state, mentioned that the state government had set up a council with Bishop Lucius Ugorji as the Chairman of the board to look into the Imo State University. He narrated that with the quality of people in the board, the university will be what it should be.
He continued by saying that the Umuagwo Polytechnic which is being changed to the University of Agriculture and Environmental Sciences, will be among the best in the country and disclosed that the university will have its main campus at Orlu, two other campuses at Omuma and Ihitte Uboma and the fourth one which is coming to Ikeduru.
Health- wise, the deputy governor reiterated the plan of the governor to make the health of Imolites his priority, as all the local government areas has an ambulance. He also appreciated God that the Corona virus pandemic did not ravage the state as it did in many other states.
Speaking earlier, Prince Charles Iwuamadi thanked the deputy governor for calling them together and reconciling their differences. He promised to work together with all fo r the development oflkeduru.
In his own speech, Chief Uzoma Obiyo noted that Ikeduru Local Government now has a leadership which must be anchored on the platform of truth and transparency.
He enjoined all the party leaders to support the deputy governor in order to enjoy the dividends of the present administration.
Highlight of the meeting was the one minute silence in honour of late Dr. Obi Njoku who was an APC leader in his days on earth.
Some Party Leaders at the meeting include, Prince Charles Iwuamadi, Chief Uzoma Obiyo, Chief Sampson Emele, Chief Mrs. Shirly Emeonu, Rev. CNN Nwanebu andEngr.Kylian Okoro.
Others are, Hon. Teddy Oguwuike, Hon. Uche Ogbuagu, Engr. Obinna Nshirim, Hon. Tony Osuji, and Mazi Okwudili Nwaejike, amongst others.