Imo state governor, Hope Uzodimma, has called for collective efforts to strengthen measures put in place by the federal government to stabilise the nation’s economy.
The governor commended the Fiscal Responsibility Commission (FRC) for raising public awareness of fiscal practices and encouraging citizens to take advantage of the Fiscal Responsibility Act 2007.
He noted that the federal government conscious of the prevailing worrisome economic climate had taken some bold steps to chart a new course for speedy revival of the economy.
“We must all support the federal government’s initiatives to revive the economy,” Uzodimma said.
The governor made the call when he declared open a 2-day retreat on “Fiscal Responsibility of Sub-nationals and Civil Society Organisations organised by the Fiscal Responsibility Commission in Owerri, the state capital on Wednesday.
Governor Uzodimma expressed delight that the Fiscal Responsibility Commission (FRC), established under the Fiscal Responsibility Act (FRA) 2007, has successfully met its challenges. “The FRC has not only raised significant public awareness about fiscal practices but also encouraged citizens to take advantage of Section 51 of the FRA 2007, promoting enforcement of the Act.”
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The governor disclosed that his administration had since commenced the implementation of many economic reforms in the state to empower the youths while digitalising the payroll of pensions and civil servants to eliminate financial malpractices and the ghost workers syndrome in the state civil service.
He added that the mantra of his administration anchored on Reconstruction, Rehabilitation and Recovery (3Rs) had given birth to continued rehabilitation of dilapidated roads, regular payment of salaries, and sustained onslaught against corruption.
Represented by the Commissioner for Finance, Hon. Chuks Chukwuemeka, the governor hailed the theme of the retreat “Fostering Fiscal Accountability sub-Nationals and Civil Society collaboration” as timely and appropriate, even as he commended the organisers of the retreat for choosing the state for the exercise, and gave an assurance that his administration would continue to align herself with the worthy mission of the FRC.
“Once more I wish to commend the organisers for choosing Imo for this event. The state is safe and will continue to be safe for individuals, and organisations wishing to transact their legitimate businesses. Please ignore always ignore rumours of insecurity in Imo because it is the handwork of those who cry wolf where there is none.”
In a lecture entitled “Fostering Fiscal Discipline; Innovative Practices for sub-Nationals Governments”, the Federal Commissioner, National Population Commission (NPC), Professor Uba Nnabue, dwelling extensively on the contextual import of Fiscal Responsibility, sub-national Governments and Fiscal Discipline, dismissed economic growth devoid of human welfare and happiness as a sham.
The professor of law noted that while nations and subnationals embark on democratisation as a journey towards the attainment of freedom, stability, peace, and development, Nigeria as a nation “is still grappling with these ideals,” stressing that every effort should be made to restore these ideals.
He also emphasized the need to eschew the imposition of candidates who are not the popular choice of the people by political parties.
“Everything about rigging in elections, thuggery, and desperation for power, and election malpractices must be abandoned. Corruption, violence and dirty politics which scare away responsible citizens from politics and pave the way for wrong persons to assume political offices and leadership must be avoided”, he warned.