… As Governor assures of transparency in grassroot developmentÂ
By Iheanyi EnweremÂ
The Executive Chairman of Ihitte Uboma Local Government Area, Hon. Prince Obioha Ndukwe, joined other Local Government Chairmen in Imo State for the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the Imo State Government and the 27 Local Government Councils aimed at accelerating grassroots development.
Speaking shortly after appending his signature to the MoU, Hon. Ndukwe commended Governor Senator Hope Uzodimma for his foresight and commitment to rural development. He noted that the initiative would strengthen governance at the grassroots by bringing government closer to the people and ensuring that communities benefit more directly from developmental policies and programmes.
The Council Chairman expressed optimism that the partnership would enhance service delivery, promote sustainable development across local communities, and improve the overall welfare of the people of Ihitte Uboma and Imo State at large.
Earlier in his speech Governor Hope Uzodimma who was represented by the Deputy Governor, Chinyere Ekomaru noted that the 3R mantra of his administration, Rehabilitation, Reconstruction, and Recovery, inspire confidence through collaboration, transparency, and people-centred governance.
He congratulated the Chairmen of the 27 LGAs on the partnership and charged them to remain steadfast in delivering quality governance at the grassroots.
With the signing of the MoU, Governor Uzodimma expressed optimism that a new era of cooperation, accountability, and accelerated development will be ushered in across all communities in the state.
The Commissioner for Finance and Coordinating Economy, Hon. Chuck Chukwuemeka, informed that the event marked the renewal of the Memorandum of Understanding earlier signed about four to five years ago between the State Government and the Local Government Areas, noting that the ceremony also provided an opportunity for an overview of the One Community One Revenue Agent (OCORA) initiative, since not all Local Government Chairmen and Directors of Administration and General Services, who are key stakeholders, were present at the earlier engagement on it.
Hon. Chukwuemeka recalled that when Governor Hope Uzodimma assumed office, he identified Imo’s huge infrastructural deficit and the need to look beyond federal allocations to fund development. “This informed the decision to boost Internally Generated Revenue through collaboration between the State and Local Governments in revenue administration and collection, leveraging the state’s existing infrastructure to drive development”, he stated.
The Chairman of the Imo State Internal Revenue Service (IIRS), Mr. Justice Okoye, described the OCORA initiative as a strategic step toward strengthening the state’s revenue system through community-driven tax administration. He said the programme is designed to enhance transparency, accountability, and efficiency in revenue collection, while expanding the tax net to the informal sector. He urged stakeholders to embrace it, noting that increased internally generated revenue will lead to better infrastructure, improved public services, and sustainable development across Imo State.
In his vote of thanks, ALGON Chairman and Executive Chairman of Oru West LGA, Hon. (Engr.) Ikenna Anthony Adikibe, thanked Governor Hope Uzodimma and the Chairman of IIRS for the OCORA initiative, describing it as a bold step to boost internally generated revenue, promote transparency, and drive sustainable development, and assured of the full support and cooperation of all local government chairmen in its implementation.
Present at the ceremony were: the Chief of Staff to the Governor, Barr. Nnamdi Anyaehie; the Deputy Chief of Staff to the Governor on General Duties, Chief Ferdinand Uzodimma; the Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Hon. Ruby Emele; and the 27 Local Government Chairmen.