Governor of Imo state, Sen. Hope Uzodinma has revealed that he and his team inherited an empty treasury upon arrival as the governor of the state.
He disclosed this while speaking in a broadcast to mark the 2021 Workers’ Day celebration.
In his statement, he said: “On this auspicious occasion of May Day celebration therefore I salute workers all over the country, particularly Imo State workers, for their understanding in the face of the Corona virus which threatened the welfare of workers.
“To Imo State workers I say thank you for your patience, for your cooperation and patriotism, in the face of the numerous challenges that assailed us on assumption of office.
“Apart from the fact that the dreaded Covid-19 pandemic welcomed us in office, we in addition inherited an empty treasury. The situation was not made any better by the fact that there was no handover note to navigate our take-off as government.”
He added that enemies of the state unleashed violence to distract his government and strike fear into the inhabitants of the state.
“You would have noticed that disgruntled politicians in concert with militants and other criminal elements have unleashed violence in our state known traditionally for its peace and hospitality.
“Unable to contain themselves over the developmental strides of our administration in just one year, these enemies of our state have devised devious ways of not only distracting us but striking fear in our citizens. Some of them have even come out to unmask their real intention which are to make the state ungovernable.
“Let me assure the good people of Imo State that investigations to unmask the sponsors of these security breaches in the state have reached an advanced stage. Very soon the long arm of the law will expose and prosecute them.
“Recall that at the onset of this administration, these same people had vowed to make the state ungovernable for us. Our only crime against them is our resolve to hand over the state and its resources to the people as the true owners. While I sympathize with them over their feeble and futile efforts at intimidating us, let me declare here that the state will employ all lawful machinery at its disposal to crush criminality.
“Last Sunday’s attempt to burn down my country home was just their Lilliputian way of sending the message that Imo State is insecure. As always, they failed woefully. The government in collaboration with all the security agencies is more than capable to protect the lives and property of all residents of the state. I swore an oath to that. I will never shirk this sacred responsibility.
“It is quite unfortunate that despite the impressive progress we have recorded in the first year in office, some people have failed to appreciate the glaring evidence everywhere that Imo State has taken a turn for the better. This group of fifth columnists has therefore elected to disrupt the peace of the state. Although their actions are quite regrettable, it is my duty as the Governor of the state to ask everyone to sheath the sword and make room for development.”
He added that he will leave no stone unturned in ensuring that security and safety returns to the state.
He further assured workers in the state, that he would do his best to ensure that things gets better for them all, emphasizing that, their welfare, remains his number one priority.
