BY JENNIFER JOHN / OWERRI
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Governor Hope Uzodimma of Imo State has expressed his determination to beat his own record in governance during his second term in office.
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Uzodimma made made this assertion in his new year broadcast to Imo people, saying that the march towards actualization of the vision has started with the 2024 budget, already approved by the state House of Assembly and consequently signed into law by him, which 83 percent was mapped out for capital expenditure, with just 17 percent set aside for recurrent expenditure.
“With this capital expenditure centered budget, there shall be an avalanche of projects in Imo State in 2024, evenly and equitably sighted in the 27 LGAs of the state.
I want Imo people to be rest assured that my performance in the second tenure will dwarf the achievements of my first tenure’.
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The governor made a bold statement that his administration in the second tenure will not condone any form of corruption in the public sector, as any Kobo belonging to the state must be deployed to work for Imo people, with public service seen as a call to work for the people and not an opportunity to loot their common patrimony.
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He solicited the continuous prayers of religious and traditional rulers, for continued peace in the state, while those who feel aggrieved one way or the other should embrace peace and join hands to work together for the interest of the state.
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Uzodimma congratulated Imo people who survived the year, 2023, despite the excruciating challenges faced.
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The governor acknowledged that 2023 was replete with unimaginable challenges that made many Nigerians, including Imolites to battle for survival, which as the governor, he shared the pains with them, doing the much he could to help alleviate the challenges.
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He re-emphasized his optimism that the reforms being implemented by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu will restructure the country’s economy, for a more prosperous future for Nigerians.
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Uzodimma posited that Imolites must begin the new year with profound gratitude to God for the gift of life which saw them into the new year
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“When we consider the fact that many who would have loved to be alive to celebrate this day with us could not make it, then we have every reason to be grateful to God Almighty for keeping us alive to see this day.
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While calling on Imolites to be patient, he gave them an assurance that the year 2024 will herald the expected glorious dawn, expressing confidence that the pains of 2023 will wane in 2024.
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Uzodimma however described 2023 as remarkable, listing some of the remarkable achievements of the state in 2023 to include; successful governorship election in the state, which proved doomsday prophets wrong. He used the opportunity to once more appreciate Imo people for what he described as massive show of support and acceptance.
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The governor stated that the bold statement by Imolites has offered him a historic opportunity to run an even more inclusive government that would involve every Imo son or daughter.
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He ssid that he has set up a pan Imo committee with Senator Chris Anyanwu as Chairman to organize his second term inauguration.
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