As he assumes office today, May 30 2019, the new Imo State governor, Emeka Ihedioha, has reveled  he was inheriting a state with institutional decay, despite the Out going governor Rochas boasting he left over 42 billion Nnaira.

Ihedioha spoke in Owerri, the state capital, while receiving the report of his  Transition Technical Committee.

He said although the challenges before him were huge, he had resolved with his deputy, Gerald Irona, to move the state forward.

The governor-elect said the committee’s report would guide his actions as the next governor of the state.

“The truth is that the institutional decay in Imo State is humongous, but I have told my deputy that we must buckle down and move the state forward.

“We do not have the necessary foundation to build on. That is why we assembled these eminent sons and daughters of Imo State.

“I will have a cabinet comprised of politicians and technocrats in order to maintain a delicate balance.”

A former Deputy Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, Ernest Ebi, who served as the committee’s chairman, said the report was a road map for the incoming administration.

The new governor  has also promised to implement laws that promote development of children.

Apart from existing laws, he said he would sponsor executive bills that would encourage special skills for children of the state.

Meanwhile the outgoing Governor of Imo State, Rochas Okorocha, had on Monday said he would be handing over N42.5bn to his successor, Emeka Ihedioha.

He said he decided to keep the money for the incoming governor so that there would not be excuses in carrying out government’s activities.

Okorocha spoke while inaugurating 11 new permanent secretaries, including the new Accountant-General and Permanent Secretary, Donald Igbo; and the new Head of Service, Mrs Ngozi Eluma.

He said N8.1bn was meant for the payment of salaries and capital projects, while N5.2bn was for pension arrears.

He added that N7.6bn was meant for the renovation of schools, while N21.6bn was for rural roads.

The governor asked the new permanent secretaries to reposition the state civil service and shun corruption.

He said, “Remember God in discharging your duties. Discharge your duties without fear or favour and also defend your state when the need arises.

“I gave this state my best. I will do all I can to support the incoming government.

“Imo State Government has kept aside a total of N42.5b for the incoming government, and for that reason, I will set up a sub-committee to make sure that the projects they are attached to, come to fruition even when I am out of office.”

Source: dailyadvent