Dan Opara
As part of fighting crime in Imo State, the State Governor, Chief Emeka Ihedioha, on Tuesday, August 20th 2019,officially launched what his Rebuild Mission led administration security policy described as ” Operation Iron Gate”, which according to the Governor is solely aimed and targeted as protecting and securing lives and properties of the Imo people.
The event which took place at the Heroes Square Area of New Owerri, was also witnessed the launch of joint task force on security.
Speaking, Gov.Emeka Ihedioha, said that the security, peace and welfare of citizens of the state were top of his government priorities.
He stated that his administration is working out other programmes, including establishing a State Security Trust Fund, as part of efforts to offer water tight security to inhabitants of the state.
The Governor therefore charged all the 27 Local Govt. Interim Management Committee Chairmen in the state to collaborate with security agencies to flush out hoodlums, said he was appreciative of the battle readiness of the various Security Heads in the State.
“We are working out several programmes. Part of this is a bill to set up State Security Trust Fund which has been sent to the House of Assembly”, he disclosed.
“Before that, we had engaged the local government council heads who had agreed to partner with the state government. I appreciate the battle readiness of the security agencies. I thank our council chairmen for their supports to the state government in our deliberate and proactive efforts to provide adequate security to the people.”
High lights of the event was the official handover ceremony of over 51 brand new security patrol vehicles to the Security agencies in the State both to the Interim Management Committee Chairmen of the 27 Local Governments of the state, by the Governor.
Meanwhile, the Special Adviser to the Governor on Local Govt. and Chieftaincy Affairs, Hon. Chief Mayor Eze, in his words, expressed satisfaction with the height of developmental strides of the Governor mostly in his combat against crime and insecurity.
The Special Adviser therefore noted that the LGA’s are in partnership with the State Govt.in the bid to curb crime and create more enabling environment for foreign investors to come into the State.
Chief Eze, however described the launching of the Imo State Joint Security Taskforce on Operation Iron Gate as a huge welcome development, even as he expressed optimism that the Imo Commissioner of Police, CP Rabiu Ladodo, who is now the Chairman of the Imo Iron Gate, would surely do exploit in the field of effective security as an expert.
Chief Mayor said,” security of lives and properties remains very paramount in the present day govt. of Governor Ihedioha.
Adding their voices, the TC Chairmen of Ezinihitte Mbaise, Hon. Chief Mrs. Gertrude Irueme, and his counterparts from Isu, Hon. Chief Nnamdi Nsorom, and that of Owerri West, Hon. Innocent Ekenma, aka Obama, thanked Governor Ihedioha for his initiatives towards tackling insecurity in the State, even as the promised never to let the Rebuild Mission down.
