Governor Hope Uzodinma of Imo State has issued a stern warning to local government chairmen and councillors, asking them to resign from their positions if they cannot reside in their respective areas.

The governor gave this directive during a stakeholders meeting held at the Imo Traditional Rulers Council Secretariat in Mbari, Owerri, emphasizing that effective administration of rural areas requires local council administrators to live within their jurisdictions.

"Insecurity will be a thing of the past if LGA chairmen and their councillors stay in their areas and constantly be in touch with their people rather than living outside their domain," Uzodinma stated.

The governor clarified that the meeting was not politically motivated but rather an interactive session with stakeholders and leaders of the 656 autonomous communities in the state. The primary objective was to implement stringent measures to tackle insecurity and improve healthcare delivery in rural areas.

"No government is active without social mobilisation," Uzodinma emphasized, stressing the need for local government administrations to be managed from within their jurisdictions rather than from urban centers.

New Implementation Committees and Healthcare Initiatives

During the meeting, Governor Uzodinma announced the establishment of Local Government Implementation Committees. These committees will be responsible for ensuring the effective implementation of resolutions reached in strategic areas including security, education, health, and youth empowerment.

The governor also revealed plans to establish a health center in every community and a general hospital in each local government area to ensure better access to healthcare services. He encouraged community leaders to ensure that all residents enroll in the ongoing Social Health Insurance Programme.

Addressing traditional rulers and community leaders, Uzodinma called on them to fulfill their responsibilities by preventing their communities from being destroyed or overrun by hoodlums.

Call for Youth Empowerment

The governor also directed a message to the youth population, encouraging them to "think differently" and embrace the dignity of labor.

"There must be a new thinking for a new Imo to emerge. I want my youth population to think differently," he said, urging them to align with the new world order and show interest in entrepreneurship by leveraging the state's skill acquisition programs.

The governor called for synergy among local government councils and all government actors to move the state forward, emphasizing that citizens must come together to make bold decisions for their collective good.