GOV-ELECT,RT.HON EMEKA IHEDIOHA SETS UP INAUGURATION PLANNING AND HANDOVER COMMITTEE

Apr 9 at 2:26 PM

REMARKS BY THE GOVERNOR-ELECT OF IMO STATE , HIS EXCELLENCY, RT. HON. EMEKA IHEDIOHA, CON, AT THE INAUGURATION OF THE MAY 29TH  INAUGURATION PLANNING AND HANDOVER COMMITTEE HELD ON TUESDAY  9TH APRIL, 2019

PROTOCOLS:

It is with great honour and privilege that I address  you today on the occasion of the inauguration of the Committee  to plan the inauguration activities leading to the swearing in of the Governor - elect and Deputy Governor - elect of Imo State on May 29th 2019. This will mark the formal takeover of the government of the state by the newly democratically elected government.

2  On Wednesday 3rd April, 2019, I had the privilege of inaugurating a Transition Technical Committee, an assemblage of some of our best brains who are individually accomplished in their careers, to help us prepare a road map for governance based on the manifesto and plans we put before our people and feed back we received from our people during rhe campaigns that ensured our victory in the general elections. The unparalleled support and enthusiasm we have received from these eminent  Imo sons and daughters have been humbling and indeed challenging. I appreciate the sacrifices they are  making as they have since started work in earnest.

3. Imo people entrusted their mandate to us having won a keenly contested election, I must therefore congratulate all of us in a very special way for our sacrifices and resilience. Our victory was not an easy one. I must use this opportunity to re-dedicate  and re-commit ourselves to providing good and purposeful leadership for our dear State. I can assure you that under our watch, Imo will rise again.

4. As we prepare to be sworn-in on 29th May, 2019, a few weeks from now, it has become pertinent to put together an inauguration Planning and Handover Committee, to prepare for a hitch-free exercise. 

5, We took a deliberate  decision to separate The Transition Technical Committee from the Inauguration Planning and Handover Committee. The reason is that the Transition Technical Committee is very busy with planning a roadmap for governance so that we will hit the ground running from May 29th. We did not want to burden this very important Committee with the task of organizing the inauguration activities which is a statutory prerequisite for any new administration.

6. The Inauguration Planning and Handover Committee is charged with the responsibility of liaising with the existing government to ensure a smooth handover of power as has been done traditionally in Imo State. We intend  to take off with an  Inter-denominational Church Service,  Inaugural Lecture and other sundry activities specifically designed taking into consideration the sorry state of affairs of the State and the need to reflect the realities on the ground in Imo today. We want a sombre ceremony devoid of the usual pomp and pageantry heralding a new administration.

7. Of course, the PDP and Imo people are entitled to a little celebration of  a hard won victory. A victory heralded as a liberation of the State from the shackles of bad governance, maladmnistration, destruction of the structures and institutions of representative government , nepotism, and absolute lack of due process in the way governmental business is conducted. We must however  not over celebrate but rather get ready for the great and difficult task ahead.  Imo State is in a hurry to recover and rebuild. 

8. Ladies and gentlemen, you have been nominated after due consideration of your capacities, commitment to our great party and our dear State to serve as members of the Inauguration Planning and Handover Committee. The relatively large number of people involved is based on the enthusiasm and need for our people to get involved in governmental activities.  In addition, the work of the Committee is basically voluntary with little or no remuneration. No government money is involved in this effort. I therefore charge you to put in your best in this patriotic call to serve.

9.  As with the Transition Technical Committee, the Inauguration Planning and Handover Committee is subdivided into sub-committees to ensure effectiveness within the short time you have to work. I  urge you to be committed and put in your initiative and resources to ensure that we organise a hitch free and historic handover activities . I have no doubt that with God on our side, we shall overcome.

10. May I therefore hereby formally inaugurate this Inauguration Planning Committee as I  wish you a successful outing.

11. May God bless you all and bless the good people of Imo State.

 Sent from Chibuike Onyeukwu

CPS to Rt Hon Emeka Ihedioha