Imo State Governor, Owelle Rochas Okorocha, has commissioned political appointees and top civil servants in the state to visit all the 367 communities in the state and deliver his Christmas message and packages to them.

Addressing the delegates at the Ahiajioku Convention Centre, Owerri recently, Governor Okorocha said that the programmes and policies of his administration were too numerous for political appointees alone to handle. He said that top civil servants who have what it takes to formulate and implement policies were needed to assist in interpreting government activities to the people at the grassroots.

The governor outlined the delegates’ main mission to include delivering his Christmas speech and the N200,000 to each community for organising a Christmas get together for their people. He said that they are also to interact with the traditional rulers and executives of each Community Government Council to know the extent to which each community has put to use the N200,000 grant given for palm seed plantation (Ikuona nkwu).

Also part of the brief is for the people are to find out developmental projects going on in each community, know their challenges and what government can do for their community.

In addition, Governor Okorocha directed them to find out communities that have not accessed the N1 million grant from the state account and know why they have not.

Okorocha charged them to act with speed and report back in the next few days for necessary action.

Speaking during the occasion, the facilitator for Ohaji Egbema and Commissioner for Petroleum and Environment, Prof. Okee Okoro, said the mission would make government’s presence to be felt by the people at the grassroots, showing that it is the government of the people, by the people and with the people.

On his part, the Head of Service, Mr. Calistus Ekenze, said the programme would ensure the inclusion of the masses at the grassroots into the affairs of government contrary to what was obtainable years back when it was government for those in urban areas and LGA officials alone. He said the people would have a sense of equity in the allocation of the state’s resources.

Also speaking, a Director, Mrs. Obiageri Amadi, and a school principal, Mr. Paul Kennedy Duru, both agreed that it would yield good results, describing it as an extension of the governor’s goodwill to the people which must be well delivered.

•Photo shows Governor Okorocha.

Update news