-Urges Them To Do More
Former Imo State House of Assembly Members (FORMIHA) have commended the activities of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defense Corps (NSCDC), in Imo State acknowledging their sacrifices in securing the lives and properties of Imolites.
The group stated this during their courtesy visit to the Nigeria Security and Civil Defense Area Command on April, 11, 2024.
The group led by their President, Hon. Ugochukwu Nzekwe, a two term House of Assembly Member for Nkwerre State Constituency and former Minority Leader, Imo State House of Assembly, applauded the Commandant Matthew Samuel Ovye, for his patriotism and proactive leadership as NSCDC boss in Imo.
Speaking during the visit, Hon. Nzekwe disclosed that FORMIHA is a pressure group and a movement initiated by past Imo House of Assembly Members who are critical Stakeholders, seasoned politicians, credible leaders, who are saddled with the responsibility of charting the way forward in fostering the growth and development of the state in addition to suggesting right leadership recipes to reposition Imo State politically and socioeconomically.
He maintained that they have garnered requisite experiences as past Legislators, hence they are well equipped to play advisory roles, promote peace, ensure good governance and contribute effectively to the smooth running of the state.
According to him, they watch with keen interest what the service chiefs have been doing in the state and have come to appreciate the good works of NSCDC. He commended the corps on the successes recorded, stressing that Imo State was a no go area few years ago but can’t be described as an insecurity bedeviled state now because there is a lot of improvement and tranquility in the state.
He charged them to do more, citing complaints of pockets of insecurity in some areas and the restiveness in Ohaji Egbema and Oru East Local Government Areas of the state.
Hon Nzekwe who acknowledged their indispensable roles in the state, recalled that many security operatives had died in the course of securing Imo citizens and prayed that the souls of the departed rest in peace.
He commended the Governor of Imo State, Hope Uzodinma for his pragmatism in the face of insecurity and urged everyone to support him to achieve absolute peace in the state because security deserves a general response.
Nzekwe requested the NSCDC Commandant to let the group know some of the challenges they encounter in the course of discharging their duties and the major areas the Command would want FORMIHA to contribute.
Responding the Commandant of the NSCDC in Imo State, Matthew Samuel Ovye, appreciated FORMIHA for identifying with them on the services they are rendering and thanked them for commiserating with the Command over the loss of their personnel.
His words,
“I am pleased to host distinguished former lawmakers who during their time painstakingly brainstormed and proffered solutions to the problems of Imo State by formulating laws and policies which benefited the state and citizens.
“Regrettably, some of the laws are not working today and I know it is one of the reasons you formed this noble association to continue creating value and doing good in your capacity. You are retired but not tired. Posterity will be kind to you for your great deeds. You are a critical asset of the government.
“Imo is our cherished state and we must work together to make it better.
Governor Uzodinma believes in collective contributions geared towards bettering and improving the state.
“We must put our party and religious differences behind and build a united and formidable state. We thank you for waking up to make genuine efforts and take the responsibility to pave way for growth and development of the state.
However, Commandant Ovye revealed that their major challenge is logistics. He stated that the Command does not have good functional vehicles which they can use to respond immediately to distress calls or emergency situations.
He revealed the “Save The School” project that the Command is embarking on which he said is a project designed to protect the pupils and students in our schools.
He urged FORMIHA to use their voice to inform the government that they need an office or secretariat where they can keep the facilities and equipment for the “Save The School” project, emphasizing that they need the former building of the National Open University of Nigeria (NOUN) because of proximity.
The group assured NSCDC that they will work in synergy with the government and other critical Stakeholders in the state to solve the problems of logistics they mentioned so as to enable them discharge their duties effectively.
Amongst the delegation were Hon. Esom Obodo, former Member representing Ohaji Egbema Constituency, Hon. Ajaero, PRO and former Member representing Ideato south Constituency, Hon. Nzeruo Ikenna, Treasurer and former Member representing Oru East, Hon. Victor Gozie Nwachukwu, Secretary and former Member representing Ngor Okpala Constituency among others.
