Stakeholders across political lines in Imo state agreed yesterday that all stolen property belonging to the government or private individuals be recovered.
The unanimous decision was made at the Imo stakeholder meeting held in Owerri, in the state, with former Imo State Governor Ikedi Ohakim as chair.
In the approved resolution, it was said that they would also order the state governor, Hope Uzodimma, to recover all the properties of the people of Imo from those involved, no matter how high the position of those people.
He briefly stated: “We, the Imo state stakeholders of the 305 districts in the state, after a meeting in Owerri on Saturday February 21, hereby decide to order the state government to recover all property, money or wealth stolen from the people of Imo by anyone, no matter how high I am
At the meeting, Imo Governor Hope Uzodimma took the opportunity to hand over her scorecard, among other things, she said:
“The restoration of the Owerri Master Plans means that those who abused the processes would be punished. Those who appropriate government and private land would be forced to return it. In short, all assets looted from the people of Imo must be recovered and the state of Imo must be for all the people of Imo.
“However, I recognize that power belongs to the good people of Imo State. As the elected government of the people, I convened this special stakeholder meeting to appeal to you on this matter.
“And so, as Imo State stakeholders and the voice of the people, I purposely pose the question to you: Do you want us to recover all the property and wealth looted from Imo and illegally appropriated from any person or group of people, either high or low? Whatever your answer, YES or NO, I want you to put it into a resolution here and now, and I assure you that your wish will be the mandate of my government. “
“My beloved Ndimo, we have every reason to celebrate God’s goodness to us as a state and a people. We should not be stopped by self-imposed agitators and emperors who have since lost their kingdom. “
“By the mercy of God, we have prevented them from conquering our state and taking the citizens captive. We have stopped the unholy march towards feudalism. We have reversed a fledgling aristocracy that would have turned some into the illegitimate landowners of the land that belonged to all the Imo people and would have left the rest of us as miserable tenants.
“Yes, we have every reason to celebrate because we have regained our status as feudal intruders and buccaneers, but above all, we now have a government that we can proudly call the government of the people by the people and for the people.
“Now we should all unite by common accord and work for the progress and well-being of our people. Owerri, Orlu and Okigwe areas inclusive. Once again, our glorious journey is underway and our shared prosperity agenda is sure to return smiles to the faces of our people, “said Uzodimma.