I’ll implement LG autonomy in Imo ― Ihedioha

Former Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives and Imo State governorship candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Hon. Emeka Ihedioha had said he will ensure full autonomy for local government areas in the state, if elected governor of the state.

As contained in a statement issued on Saturday by the media adviser to the IMO State PDP deputy governorship candidate, Dr Walter Duru, Ihedioha made the pledge during a town hall meeting with stakeholders of Oguta Local Government Area of the state at the weekend.

The former Deputy Speaker of the lower chamber of the National Assembly also assured that the law establishing the Imo State Oil Producing Areas Development Commission (ISOPADEC) was vigorously implemented.

Ihedioha expressed concern over the perennial problem of electricity in the oil-rich local government area, promising to fix it, if voted into power.

Describing his Oguta-born deputy governorship candidate, Honourable Gerald Irona, as his ideal, Ihedioha said his visit to Oguta as homecoming and promised to tap into the tourism and agricultural potentials of the area to ensure its development.

“I appreciate the deluge of problems you have identified. It is one of the reasons I nominated your brother, Irona, as my deputy. He is very conversant with all the issues.

“We shall run the government jointly in harmony. Our government shall be built on justice, due process and rule of law. We shall ensure that local government funds are administered by the local governments.

ALSO READ: 2019: Bauchi muslim group sensitises electorates on good conduct during elections

“We shall implement the FOI Act. We shall send an Executive Bill to the state House of Assembly to ensure that local government councils enjoy autonomy. We shall have a people’s parliament, made up of non-state actors to enhance accountability and equity in the distribution of the people’s wealth.

“I am aware that you are an oil-producing community. We are aware that you have a large agricultural base. I am aware that you don’t have power supply for eight years now. It is unthinkable that you are an oil producing local government area and you don’t have electricity.

“We shall dialogue with the oil companies. We shall bring the Federal Government to complete the NIPP Plant in Egbema and other power projects in Imo. We shall solve the problem of electricity.

“We understand what needs to be done. We have the contacts. We have the capacity to do this. We shall build good quality roads. We shall ensure that the law establishing the Imo State Oil Producing Areas Development Commission (ISOPADEC) is implemented,” he said.

Speaking earlier, chief host and PDP deputy governorship candidate in the state, Honourable Gerald Irona promised not to disappoint the people.

He described Ihedioha as an age-long friend of Oguta people who used his position as Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives to support the development of the area.

“Oguta and Ohaji/Egbema are the coastal local government areas in Imo and the two that are qualified in the state to be in Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC).

“I have engaged my principal, Honourable Ihedioha. He has given me an assurance that he will abide by the spirit and letters of the ISOPADEC Law,” he said.