Governor Hope Uzodimma of Imo state has commended President Bola Tinubu for removing the fuel subsidy, which he said has increased revenue collection from the federal government.
Uzodimma disclosed a statewide phone-in programme to commemorate his first year in office, his second term, and his fifth as Imo state governor.
According to him, the state of Imo now receives over N9 billion monthly instead of N5 billion. He notes that it will be helpful to pay the new minimum wage, which will commence this January, pay pension and gratuity, and build infrastructure.
He said, “I thank President Bola Tinubu for removing the fuel subsidy, as states now get more money for roads, pensions, salaries, and other things. Now I get N11 billion, N9 billion as against N5 billion. I have paid all the salary loans we collected in 2021.”
The governor promised to appoint an acting chief judge for the state to ease the challenges lawyers and litigants face.
He said the state government avoided embarrassment by ensuring thorough checks were conducted on the would-be new CJ.
He explained that the delay was occasioned by the expiration of the tenure of the state Judicial Service Commission that was supposed to nominate the new chief judge for the state, adding that a new JSC will be reconstituted soon.
The governor disclosed that structural engineers would conduct checks on the Oputa High Court premises and provide ways to make them safer and more conducive.
Further, he announced that pensioners would be included in the insurance scheme as recognition for dedicating their younger years to the service of the state.
Uzodimma reiterated that he remained the state land commissioner, adding that all landowners would recertify their lands.
He said, “Maybe you forgot, but I’m the commissioner for lands. The land issue was chaotic as one land had three certificates of occupancy. All landowners will come for recertification for every title document. Already, I have written to banks not to lend anybody money until it is recertified. How can one person have over 500 C of Os while another person doesn’t have even one?” the governor queried.
