Rochas Doles out 27 Billion naira to the 27 LG's

Imo State Government has released the sum of N1b to each of the 27 local government areas to execute 15km road projects and other capital projects which it had earlier approved. Out of this amount, the sum of N200m will first be released for the first phase of the projects. According to a communiqué issued after a joint meeting among Governor Rochas Okorocha and Commissioners, Special Advisers, members of Imo State House of Assembly, Chairmen of Local Government Transition Committee and Traditional Rulers, a contractor is expected to do a minimum of 5km of the 15km road projects approved for each of the local government areas in the state. The chairmen were equally requested to acquire 100 hectares of land for other projects like general hospitals, guest house, mini-stadium and housing scheme. A joint government project committee comprising commissioners, special advisers, chairmen of transition committee, members of the State Assembly and senior special assistants in each LGA was constituted while the Speaker, Imo State House of Assembly, Hon. Benjamin Uwajimogu is to chair the Rural Road Inspection Committee. The communiqué also highlighted the establishment of a fourth-tier of government in Imo State known as Community Government Council (CGC) which will be headed by the traditional rulers while the president-generals, community speakers, woman and youth leaders will serve as members. It further stated that election into the community government council will hold on April 2012, while the state Attorney-General works out the logistics for the polls. The Community Government Councils are however directed to take over the management of health centres while those that don’t have are directed to apply to the Commissioner for Health. Under the arrangement, all qualified communities will be entitled to monthly subventions as those that don’t qualify may be merged for administrative convenience. While former development area headquarters are to be used as Community Government Council headquarters for those communities where they are located, other public buildings will be converted for same purpose where they are located. http://www.thenationonlineng.net/2011/index.php/newsextra/35454-imo-councils-get-n27b-for-capital-projects.html