Ohakim declares war on robbers

EMMA OGU, Owerri

Governor Ikedi Ohakim of Imo state has directed armed robbers in the state to repent and surrender their arms or recolate from the state.

Chief Ohakim who unfolded his New Face of Imo agenda in a state broadcast on Monday said that his government will address frontally the security situation of the state to create a conducive atmosphere for wealth creation which he said will be pursued vigorously.

He therefore begged all armed robbers operating in the state to turn a new leaf, surrender their arms and register at the new citizen’s job centres that will soon be established by his government to provide jobs to them.


In the same vein he ordered those not willing to comply to quit the state because his government will use all means and power at its disposal to hound them out of the state.


Hear him: "if you are an armed robber listening to this broadcast, I have good news for you – provided you surrender your guns, ammunitions, cutlasses and all instruments deployed in your trade and surrender yourself to God. If you do this, your past will be forgiven and forgotten.
"If you are not willing to comply, then you better relocate from Imo state. And if there is no immediate marked decrease in armed robbery, you will have to come face to face with my government and there can be only one winner.

To this extent, governor Ohakim said his administration will in due course, set up a series of "neigbourhood watch" as part of civil security arrangement of his government but explained that the arrangement is not vigilante group.

The government nevertheless assured that the state will take the lead in our quest to set the South-East free from the shackles of poverty, infrastructural decay and underdevelopment.


According to him, the aim of his administration is to generate and create as much job opportunities as possible and also create enough wealth that can be shared by all without fighting, bitterness and rancour.

Unfolding his economic blue print, he disclosed that the launching pad of our economic take off is a radical, economic paradigm shift that will see the state moving from trading in goods to aggressive Imo enterpreneuship in the manufacturing industries for the production of high quality goods and products for export.

Government he said shall provide incentives to processing and canning industries that are designed to give value added dimension to our agricultural products such as cashed nuts and cassava.

He also stated that the state shall cease to be marginal players in the communications and oil and gas industries and shall no longer be patronizing mollified with crumbs. Handed to us from thwe huge oil revenue accruing to the Federal Government. He listed specific goals to be pursued by his regime in oil and Gas industry to include, ensuring that the state oil and gas potentials are maximally exploited to the benefit of the oil bearing communities and the state and with due regard to the preservation of the environment.


His government according to him will attract foreign investors to partner with us. For the establishment of Lube Oil and Petrochemical plants.


Besides, Chief Ikedi Ohakim stated that his administration will train and produce a hard core reservoir of professional oil and gas technocrats and technicians to participate effectively and in sufficient numbers in the strategic oil and gas industry, particularly upstream.

The governor who stated that the state economy is at the moment languishing in the doldrums of static underdevelopment however assured that he is going to put the state that he is going to put the state under the yoke of self reliance through self development.


Emphasizing on hardworking and innovation as the backbone of any economy, he explained that under his New face of Imo agenda the new work ethic for workers is zero tolerance for laziness, loitering, late coming, absenteeism and continue sick leave, warning that any hospital or medical doctor that issue fake sick leave certificate will face serious disciplinary action.


He disclose that his administration will soon launch a programme "Clean and Green Initiative" to restore Imo to its past glory as a clean state.

On education, Chief Ohakim disclosed that government will build three model schools in the three zone of the state and refurbish existing schools in terrible state of disrepair.

Urging the people of the state to be patient, patriotic and trust him he said that his government will soon constitute a council of Elders for the sate made up of elders statesmen and experience leaders whom he shall consult from time to time.

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