IMO STATE LOCAL GOVERNMENTS

- Nigeria: 13 Percent Oil Derivation - FG, States May Clash Over Fund By Donald Ojogo and Kingsley Alu, 25 November 2013A battle for the management of the 13 per cent derivation fund may ensue between the federal government and the states anytime soon. There has been growing discontent among stakeholders over the delay by the federal government in correcting its implementation error that resulted in the payment of 13 per cent derivation fund through state governments. The oil-producing states have also faulted such calls, threatening to go to court instead if the federal government should succumb to pressure. A statement obtained by LEADERSHIP at the weekend said female activists in the nine oil/gas producing states now demand that President Goodluck Jonathan create a national derivation committee (NDC) to disburse the funds, as was done during the tenure of former President Shehu Shagari. In a letter to the federal government dated October 18, 2013, the female activists under the aegis of 13% Derivation Amazons and 13% Derivation Women Foundation articulated their grievances. First, they argued that since oil/gas remained on the Exclusive Legislative List, only the president could put a stop to what they described as illegal and unconstitutional payment of the fund through state government accounts. According to them, the practice is a violation of two mandatory provisions of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. These are provisions of the Separation of Powers which put oil and gas on the Exclusive Legislative List. Also, they submitted that section 162(2) of the 1999 Constitution makes 13 per cent derivation fund a first charge on the Federation Account. "As a first charge, 13 per cent derivation fund must not be paid through a third party or any state government account," they stated. The women group led by a frontline activist from Oben flow station in Edo State, Princess Nomwen Uhunmwangho, called on the president to discontinue the current practice and establish a national derivation committee (NDC) and state implementation committees (SICs). The women reaffirmed that, from the two mandatory provisions, 3 per cent derivation fund was not part of any consolidated fund of any tier of government. They further affirmed that 13 per cent derivation fund does not form part of the fund to be included in the Joint State/Local Government Account. Other affirmations include: - 13 per cent derivation fund is a benchmark of revenue allocation to oil and gas-producing communities. - There is no need for RMAFC to send any submission on 13 per cent derivation fund to National Assembly for implementation as it has been constitutionally provided for. - What is necessary is administrative implementation of the mandatory provision of section 162 (2) of the 1999 Constitution. The women's group recalled the series of consultations with the Revenue Mobilization, Allocation and Fiscal Commission (RMAFC) on the matter and their submissions at zonal public hearings in Enugu, Ibadan and Yenagoa where they demanded direct payment of 13 per cent derivation fund through administrative committees. The group further noted that by Act 1 of 1982 when derivation fund was 1.5 per cent of total oil receipts, the then president Alhaji Shehu Shagari established Presidential/State Implementation committees to disburse the 1.5 per cent derivation fund for the oil-producing areas. Under the 13 per cent regime, Delta State collected N120.6billion in 2010, N178.4billion in 2011, and N156.6 billion in 2012. Akwa Ibom and Rivers states top the chart in allocation, while Bayelsa is 4th on the collection chart. Sometime in September last year, the chairman of the RMAFC, Engr. Elias Mbam, at a press conference in Abuja, submitted that the 13 per cent derivation from monthly allocation extended to oil-producing states ought to be exclusively spent on oil-producing communities who suffer most from the impact of environmental degradation occasioned by oil exploration in their domains. Mbam said the clarification became necessary in view of the fact that a larger percentage of the 13 per cent derivation fund meant for the development of host communities was unjustifiably spent on the development of state capitals and other urban centres, thus negating the principle behind derivation which serves as reparation to the host communities whose land and water resources are devastated by oil exploration activities. In a telephone conversation with LEADERSHIP last night, spokesperson for RMFAC Mr Ibrahim Mohammed confirmed that the position of the commission has not changed. Ibrahim said that the right thing to do was to amend the constitution so that the money would be paid directly to the oil/gas-producing communities. He also said that the same should apply in the case of solid minerals. But the oil-producing states have faulted such calls and, indeed, any moves to amend the rules governing the disbursement of the 13 per cent derivation fund. The Ondo State governor, Olusegun Mimiko, who spoke through his chief press secretary Eni Akinsola, described such moves as mischievous. "I can quickly say that any person or persons canvassing such do not have the facts regarding federation or federalism as it applies to us in Nigeria. "States only contribute to the federal government from revenues accruing to the states and the other way round. Any suggestion in that direction is utmost mischief and cannot be sustained by any law. It is an unacceptable suggestion from any quarters," Akinsola said. His Bayelsa State counterpart, Iworiso Markson, was of the same position, saying RMFAC may have been misquoted. "I don't want to believe RMFAC made such position that 13 per cent should go to the oil-producing communities; the proposal has always been canvassed by the host communities. "But the question is: under what law will the communities be involved in the disbursement or otherwise of the fund. Only the law can determine the status of oil-bearing communities," Markson said on telephone Also reacting to the development, the Delta State government said it would challenge the legality or otherwise of the move, if taken, in the court of law. Delta State commissioner for information and strategy, Mr Chike Ogea, told LEADERSHIP that only the court could determine the matter. "That cannot happen because there is a law in place. RMFAC cannot just shift the goal post the way it wants .What we can say is that only the court will determine this because we shall challenge the move if it is taken. "For instance, there is nothing more than what we in Delta State give to the oil-bearing communities. We give as much as 50 per cent of the 13 per cent to the oil communities and this is novel in the Niger Delta region." But the special adviser to the Edo State governor on media, Mr Kazeem Afegbue, declined to comment on the issue, saying: "This is a very sensitive issue, as you know. I need to get across to my boss to be able to respond to this matter, please." -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 1000 KM of roads to be tarred in Imo State by December 2013 Date Added: 2013-04-12 04:05:05 HIS EXCELLENCY, OWELLE ROCHAS OKOROCHA Imo State Governor, Owelle Rochas Okorocha has assured the people of Imo State that his administration will complete the tarring of 1000 kilometers of roads constructed by the State government both at the urban and rural areas of the State before December 2013. He gave the assurance when he paid an unscheduled inspection visit to the ongoing general hospital project at Nworieubi, in Mbaitoli Local Government Area. The Governor said the projects became necessary because at inception, what his administration met as general hospitals were more or less shanty buildings, ill-equipped and could not provide the needed Medicare for the people of the State. He said government therefore embarked on the construction of the 27 new general hospitals in all the 27 local government areas of the State in order to provide easy access to quality Medicare for Imo citizens. He expressed optimism that the new general hospitals will be completed come December 2013 as work on all of them have gone up to 70% completion. On the management of the hospitals, Governor Okorocha further explained that government had entered into partnership with a foreign firm that will build, equip as well as run (manage) the hospitals when completed. The governor has earlier inspected some ongoing road projects at Spibat road, Amakohia in the Owerri-North local government area and some other at Orlu. has re-affirmed its resolve to complete all projects initiated by the present administration before the expiration of its tenure. Speaking also, the contractor handling the projects, Engr. Hanah of RHAS Construction Company said the asphalting of the road will be completed within few days. Some residents of the area who spoke to Government correspondents said they had suffered and had been neglected by previous administrations for the past 12 years and were happy that they have at last, been rescued by the present administration. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- COMMUNITY GOVERNMENT CONCEIVED TO BOOST RURAL DEVELOPMENT, SAYS OKOROCHA Date Added: 2013-04-10 07:35:41 HIS EXCELLENCY, OWELLE ROCHAS OKOROCHA Imo state governor, Owelle Rochas Okorocha, says the community government otherwise known as fourth-tier government in the state is conceived to boost meaningful development in the rural communities. Governor Okorocha made this clarification at a grand civic reception organized in his honour by the people of Aboh Mbaise LGA over the weekend. According to Governor Okorocha, the community as the brain-child of his rescue mission administration, is also structured at decentralizing powers towards bringing government to the door-step of the people. He added that the community government would encourage agricultural practices for rapid economic development and job creation for the teeming youths. Governor Okorocha, however, charged the people to embark on massive planting of palm trees as well as major cash crops that constituted the main stay of Nigerian economy before the oil boom. On roads, Governor Okorocha promised that his government will complete all the road and other infrastructural projects embarked upon in the area. He also charged the people especially the community leaders to be part of the projects by ensuring that the contractors deliver according specifications and on time. The governor further disclosed that government has released over 15 billion naira to mobilize contractors, adding that there is no reason why they should not deliver as expected. Governor Okorocha urged the people to shun selfish leaders who rather than contributing to their communities pursue selfish interest . While commending the people of Aboh Mbaise for their support during the election, Gov. Okorocha promised to ensure that the entire Mbaise nation maintain their rightful place in the scheme of things in his rescue administration. Speaking earlier,the Sole Administrator of Aboh mbaise, Hon Anthony Atudume said that the people of Aboh Mbaise are happy to receive the governor. He said that the people of Aboh mbaise would ever remain grateful to the governor for his numerous development strides in the area which he listed to include the 15 kilometer road construction spreading across the entire local government , the ongoing construction of General Hospital at Mbutu, the ongoing building of 12 class room concrete blocks in all the wards of the LGA and most importantly the free education programme from primary to university, the first of its kind in the country. Also speaking, the chairman, central working committee for the reception and Special Adviser to the Governor on Education, Prof Fabian Osuji, applauded the governor for his immeasurable achievements particularly in the area of free education that has restored hope for the common man and massive infrastructural development in the area. On APC, the Prof said that his people are behind the governor and would support him at all times. He appealed to the governor to revisit the issue of the permanent site location of the Imo state University to ensure that the land his people provided for the school since the era of Mbakwe is utilized for that purpose. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- IMO GOVT RELEASES 29 BILLION NAIRA FOR ROADS CONSTRUCTION Category: Special Announcements | Date Added: 2012-12-19 09:40:55 HIS EXCELLENCY, OWELLE ROCHAS OKOROCHA In a bid to ensure that the contractors handling the construction of roads accomplish their job in good time, the Imo State government led by his Excellency, Rochas Okorocha has released the sum 14 billion naira for the local roads and 15 billion naira for the city roads. This disclosure was made by Governor Okorocha during an interactive session with Imo State civil and public servants held at the newly built Owerri City School (former Township school) along Wetheral road Owerri today 19th December 2012. According to the governor, the present administration in Imo is leaving no stones unturned to ensure that democracy dividend is felt by everybody in the State, adding that by next year, 2013, more factories and industries will be built in Imo State. He reiterated his administration’s resolve to deal decisively with any public official who gives or receives bribe to derail the progress being made by the State government especially in the area of roads construction an infrastructure development. Speaking further at the occasion, Governor Okorocha, in his Christmas message to the people, expressed gratitude to God almighty for the wonderful things He has been doing for State and everybody in it and prayed that better things will come for all in the year 2013. Highpoint of the occasion is the singing of Christmas songs by the Rescue Mission band. Also present at the occasion were the Deputy governor, all the serving Commissioners, the SSG, COS, Chairman, Council of Traditional Rulers and a host of others. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Nigeria: In Imo State, It's Flood of Tears BY CHIDI NKWOPARA, 13 OCTOBER 2012 How to describe the level of devastation caused by flood in no fewer than 15 communities in Oguta and Ohaji/Egbema local council areas of Imo State is no doubt a herculean task. It is also true that the degree of harm caused the harmless and hapless citizens and the environment by the rampaging flood is better imagined than seen. This is the worst flooding Egbema and Oguta people experienced for a long time. The first in recent memory was in 1947, the year of the eclipse of the sun. There was also that of 1969, during the war but this one surpasses all of them, according to some aged men in the two areas. In Egbema axis, Opuoma, Obiakpu, Mmahu and Abacheke communities have very sad stories to tell about the flood. A former member of House of Representatives, Chief Tony Okere, who took representatives of Rotary International, District 9140, to the submerged communities, told Saturday Vanguard that the flood did not spare the Independent Power Plant, which is under construction in the area. "About 25,000 people have been displaced from their homes, including the former Speaker of Imo State House of Assembly, Chief Goodluck Nanah Opiah. Similarly, the road leading to Ndoni, the country home of the former Governor of Rivers State, Dr. Peter Odili, has been taken over by flood", Okere recounted with tears. Reacting also to the ugly development, the Assistant Governor of Rotary International, District 9140, Chief C. J. Ihemedu, described what the delegation saw in Oguta and Egbema as "traumatic" and even warned that if nothing was done immediately, an epidemic of unimaginable proportion could engulf the disaster zone. The story is not different in Oguta. Two people reportedly drowned in Oguta axis. All the riverine arreas, including Orsu, Nnebukwu, Orsu Obodo, Opuoma, Ezi Orsu are under water. Saturday Vanguard gathered that fish ponds, cocoa plantations, farm lands, plantain, cassava, economic trees and crops are presently under water. Over 123 farm settlements and satellite towns are under water. Almost 8,000 persons have no homes now. Over 1,000 homes have been sacked in Oguta, including the home of the Executive Secretary, Nigerian Content Development Commission, Engr. Ernest Nwapa and the bridge connecting Oguta and Egbuoma, the home of the Secretary to the Government of Imo State, SGI, Professor Anthony Gozie Anwuka, has been swallowed. This bridge also leads to Senator Nzeribe's home. The multi million Naira Erima Agwuagu Plantation is in water. The pavilion, from where dignitaries watch the fanciful regatta during the Ozurimo festival is under water. The ferry has since ceased to function because the landing ramp is under water now. REFUGEES Oguta community has set up well knit machinery to accommodate the displaced persons in individual homes. It is an effort coordinated by the community to alleviate the sufferings of the internally displaced persons to avert chaos. Answering questions from Saturday Vanguard, the traditional ruler of Oguta, Eze Nnani Nzeribe, said that no fewer than 65 persons live in one farm satellite settlement, adding that 123 of such settlements have been sacked by flood. "Apart from one or two flow stations, all the oil wells and pipelines are under water. Shell has shut down its operations in Umuorodogwom", the royal father said. IMPACT Wildlife, as well as fauna and flora have been completely destroyed. Premature harvesting of cassava, yams and other crops is now on for those who were lucky to be around when the flood started. For the royal father, it is tragic to note that his subjects woke up one morning and lost what took a lifetime to acquire, adding that some people have aged overnight and broken hearted. But for the grace of God more people would have died. "It is sad that people will start life afresh. Help must come to them as fast as possible. Immediate remedy would be in form clothing, housing, food, healthcare because of the possibility of an epidemic breaking out soon", Eze Nzeribe said. According to the traditional ruler, the long term measure will be to find a way of preventing such a catastrophe in future and suggested the dredging of the Lake Urashi River so that the depth is increased to contain more volume of water. He also called for the building of proper embankment along the shores of the Lake. "Medium term approach would be to rehabilitate the displaced families when the flood recedes by providing both materials and cash to enable them return to their farms. They will also need seedlings and seed money to enable them return to their farms", the royal father pleaded. GERALD IRONA PROVIDES SOME RELIEF MATERIALS Chief Gerald Irona, representing the area in the National Assembly, have provided relief materials for eight different communities in Oguta and Ohaji/Egbema communities sacked by flood. The materials included bags of rice, garri, beans, bournvita, disinfectants, soap, detergent, tomato paste, cooking oil and yam. He also made promises, including grant and seedlings. SERIOUS CONCERN The situation on ground calls for a very serious concern, both immediate and future. It is immediate because the people have lost their means of livelihood. Oguta and Egbema remains the food basket of Imo State and beyond. In view of the flooding, which has occasioned the washing way and submersion of the crops and plants, the farmers have lost their crops and have no hope of getting seedlings. Again, most people have lost their houses where they live, in addition to losing their ancestral homes. The cumulative effect of this flooding is that in the long term, people will no longer have a place to live and there is the possibility of famine and starvation. Again, the water has been polluted. It is now stinking. People in the affected communities have now been exposed to epidemic outbreak. The cumulative effect of the above is that the lives of the people are in serious danger. IRONA REACTS "It is regrettable that as at the time of this interview, no meaningful assistance has come from r the state, the federal government or its agencies. However, the constituency is very pleased with the visit of the Deputy Speaker, House of Representatives, Chief Emeka Ihedioha, for his timely visit and intervention", Irona said. It was the considered opinion of the lawmaker that deliberate effort must be put in place to ensure that the victims of the flood are well taken care of, even as he advised that "people should not politicize the flood issue in his constituency, considering the machinations and scheming of some individual(s), who believe that this is an opportunity to position themselves to hijack whatever succor that might be released by the Federal Government". All the people that talked to Saturday Vanguard used the medium to urge the local, state and federal government and their interventionist agencies like National Emergency Management Agency, State Emergency Management Agency, Niger Delta Development Commission and Imo State Oil Producing Areas Development Commission, to live up to their primary responsibility by ensuring the immediate provision of food and medical relief materials to the flood victims as a stop gap measure to ameliorate their immediate needs. They also appealed to their lawmakers to use their positions to ensure that whatever relief materials meant for the people gets to the appropriate communities and affected individuals. They expressed disgust that some people have already started some clandestine moves to benefit from the misery and adversity of hapless individuals. Nigeria: Agony of Flood Victims Unites IMO Leaders BY CHIDI NKWOPARA, 2 NOVEMBER 2012 Owerri — Those who never visited the communities sacked by the recent flood surge at its peak may not fully appreciate what the affected people are currently passing through. The same is also true of those who are not victims of the flood. It sounds like a fairy tale that a building, including storey buildings, can be completely swallowed by the surging flood. But this ugly incident happened in several communities in Imo State. Areas originally inhabited by people suddenly turned into a vast volume of water! People were displaced and rendered homeless. Hard earned properties and ecosystem were destroyed. Farmlands, cash crops, poultry and fish farms were swallowed by flood. Over 123 farm settlements and satellite towns are under water. Crops that were almost ready for harvest were all lost to the ravaging flood. Wildlife, fauna and flora became mere history. Reptiles, especially the dangerous ones like snakes, were dislodged. Snake bite became rampant in the affected communities. A good percentage of oil wells in Oguta and Egbema were shut unceremoniously and production stopped. Oil workers scampered into safety. The power plant currently under construction in Egbema was submerged. Apart from the workers abandoning work on the site, only God knows the state of the equipment already installed and when work will resume at the site. Two people were reported dead in Oguta. Health hazard in the affected communities became an issue, indeed a serious matter. Sources of water have thereafter been polluted. With this level of devastation, agony and confusion, people's virtue of love and compassion came under serious test. Some notable Imo sons and daughters took up the challenge. The first to visit the flood victims and made huge personal donations was the Deputy Speaker, House of Representatives, Chief Emeka Ihedioha. The speed with which he responded to the distress call of the flood victims was amazing. Others included Governor Rochas Okorocha, the immediate past Governor of Imo State, Chief Ikedi Ohakim, the Minister of State (1) for Foreign Affairs, Professor Viola Onwuliri and the member representing Oguta/Egbema/Oru East federal constituency, Chief Gerald Irona. "I am shocked at the level of devastation. This is a sad visit. It is a thing of joy that Oguta people started looking for remedies instead of rioting. This shows the level of understanding and development of the people," Ihedioha said. He reasoned that "flood is now a national issue", promising that all the remedies put in place by government would go round and no area would be short changed. He also assured that relief would reach the people soonest. Ohakim described the level of devastation in the affected communities as "very grave", stressing that his visit was a demonstration of love to those affected. "Imo people cannot forget you in this time of need. It is regrettable that the flood affected areas are the oil-bearing communities and by extension, the wealth and food zones of the state. I enjoin you to ensure equitable distribution of the relief materials," Ohakim pleaded. Although the flood has started receding gradually, the huge ruins visited on people's homes and farmlands, as well as the pains of the victims are still very visible. The question that has continued to agitate the minds of some concerned citizens is the post management of the flood disaster. ------------------------------------------------------ Imo State Local Government Areas

The new Imo State is divided into twenty-seven local governments areas (LGAs), and three senatorial zones .
What remained of Imo State was thereafter constituted into 27 Local Government Areas
SNO LOCAL GOVERNMENT AREAS HEADQUATERS
1 Aboh Mbaise Aboh
2 Ahiazu Mbaise Afor Oru
3 Ezinihitte Mbaise Itu
4 Ihitte Uboma Isi Nweke
5 Ehime Mbano Ehime
6 Ideato North Urualla
7 Ideato South Dikenafai
8 Ikeduru Iho
9 Isiala Mbano Umuelemai
10 Isu Umundugba
11 Mbaitoli Nwaorieubi
12 Njaba Nneasa
13 NgorOkpala Umuneke Ngor
14 Nkwerre Nkwere
15 Nwangele Amaigbo
16 Obowo Otoko
17 Oguta Oguta
18 Ohaji/Egbema Nmahu Egbema
19 Okigwe Okigwe
20 Onuimo Okwe
21 Oru East Omuma
22 Oru West Mgbidi
23 Orlu Orlu
24 Orsu Awo Idemilli
25 Owerri Municipal Owerri
26 Owerri North Orie Uratta
27 OwerriWest Umuguma


It has three Senatorial Zones, namely:
Okigwe - 6 L.G.As
Orlu - 12 L.G.As
Owerri - 9 L.G.As