Despite the pervading ban on social gathering of persons at a particular venue at above 5 in number, the Governor of Imo State, Senator Hope Uzodinma, yesterday swore in his newly appointed Transitional Committee Chairmen (T.C) for the 27 LGAs of Imo State. The ceremony which is coming more than three months after he was sworn-in took place at the State exco Chambers of Government House Owerri.
Apart from the appointees, the swearing-in ceremony was witnessed by top government officials including the Secretary to the Government of Imo State, Cosmas Iwu, the Chief of Staff to the Governor, Barr Nnamdi Anyaehie, the Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Comrade Oguike Nwachukwu and the Commissioners and Special Advisers (SA) especially Ruben Emele on Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs.
Others include the Board of the Governors SAs and SSAs which are about 50, in number all of who defied the ban on movement go attend the occasion.
While administering the oath of office on the T.C Chairmen, the Governor assured on efficient service and democratic dividends delivery and challenged the appointees to carry their people along by ensuring equitable distribution of amenities and empowerment facilities.
He barred the new T.C Chairmen from operating from their Owerri residences and charged them to relocate to their various communities from where they must attend to work regularly. They are as follows:
1. Bar. Emma Njoku – Aboh Mbaise
2. Chief Larry Obinna Chikwe – Ahiazu Mbaise
3. Chief Francis Onyeberechi – Ezinihitte Mbaise
4. Barr Chidi Okechukwu – Ehime Mbano
5. Olemgbe Chike – Ihitte Uboma
6. Hon. C.C Ihejirike – Obowo
7. Mrs. Nkechi Mbaonu – Okigwe
8. Charles Mathew Ijezie – Onuimo
9. Chika Okoroike – Isialla Mbano
10. Gloria Mbadiwe – Ideato North
11. Mayor Obinna Nweke – Ngor Okpalla
12. Ambrose Nkwodinma – Owerri municipal
13. Chukwuma Ikeaka – Ideato South
14. Enyioha Okechukwu – Owerri West
15. Frank Onyejiaka – Nkwerre
16. Kenneth Uka – Isu
17. Emeka Iheanacho – Njaba
18. Cosmos Iwuagwu – Nwangele
19. Mrs. Ifeoma Ndupu – Orlu
20. Hon. Uchenna Osigwe – Orsu
21. Nze Nyerere Ogbonna – Oru east
22. Hon. Emma Mazi – Oguta
23. Amadioha Marcel – Ohaji/Egbema
24. Willie Okoliegwo – Oru west
25. John Eke – Mbaitoli
26. Engr. Lams Ibeh – Owerri North
27. Mr. Tony Jude Iwuamadi – Ikeduru
The Governor also reiterated that other committee members for each LGA will be announced later.
Meanwhile,some lawmakers who spoke to this reporter on condition of anonymity faulted the swearing-in carried out by the governor on the grounds that the TC chaimen where never screened by Imo Imo State House of Assembly.They claimed that they were not referenced at all,letalone inviting them for screening as provided for by the law.