By Joseph Aniemeka Nwachukwu
The history of God’s dealings with his people is a story of God responding to the cry of the people for deliverance from forces stronger than themselves. Thus, in ancient times there were Moses, Samson, David and others, while in modern times there were George Washington of the United States, Mahatma Ghandi of India, Nelson Mandela of South Africa, Paul Kagame of Rwanda and others. Today, Imo State has a truly far sighted leader in the mold of these charismatic leaders in the person of Governor Hope Uzodimma whose indelible footprint in the total development of the State is visible across the length and breath of the three Zones of the Zone. These great leaders aptly have their guiding principles in the thoughts of Nelson Mandela who said that, “what counts in life is not the mere fact that we have lived. It is what difference we have made to the lives of others that will determine the significance of the life we lived”. The almost four years of superintending over the affairs of Imo State by Governor Hope Uzodimma eloquently testifies to his unwavering commitment of improving the quality of life of the people of the State through prudent management of the scarce resources and altruistically guided by the principles of accountability and transparency.
Speaking on the topic, “Enhancing Fiscal Transparency in Governance: the Role of Chartered Accountants during a summit of the Institute of Chartered Accountant of Nigeria (ICAN) in Owerri last month, the fiery State Accountant General, Mr. Linus Okafor, while welcoming the members deeply expressed his pleasure that the premier Accounting body had joined Imo people in rejoicing, eulogizing and celebrating Governor Uzodimma on the prestigious award on fiscal transparency bestowed on him by the Stakeholders of State Fiscal Transparency, Accountability and Sustainability Project (SFTAS) of the world bank. According to the sanctimonious Accountant General, transparency and accountability remained virtues believed in by ICAN, hence their celebration of the recognition and award by SFTAS which is backed by the world bank. Mr. Linus Okafor also enthused that the current democratic dispensation had an overwhelming advantage over the former Military system in that citizens could now freely ask questions, criticize the government without fear of being jailed, citizens could also demand to know how their state is being governed. The Imo State Accountant General, adroitly quoting the world bank 1992 Report titled, “Governance and Development”, defined Good governance as “the manner in which power is exercised in the Management of a country’s economic and social resources for development/’ This is in line with the statement of the 41st President of the United States, George Bush, who stated thus: “use power to help people. For we are given power not to advance our own purposes nor to make a great show in the world, nor a name. There is but one sue of power and it is to serve people!!.
To be able to effectively serve the people in line with George Bush’s advice and the World Bank definition of good governance, the state Accountant General brilliantly noted that Governor Uzodimma, on assumption of office made transparency and accountability his watchword. A man of immense grace, sensitivity and great propensity for the management of Human and material resources, Distinguished Senator Hope Uzodimma is honest and operates with absolute candour and nobility of outlook. He left no one in doubt of his integrity, hardwork and commitment to democratic norms and ideals. Governor has never waverd in the pursuit of happiness and common good of Imolites.
He further informed that the states fiscal Transparency, Accountability and sustainability (SFTAS) of the world is an “Incentivized project which operates on the basis of participating states meeting set out targets on fiscal transparency.” Knowing the importance of transparency, Governor Uzodimma, has revolutionized the state’s financial management environment with all the 3R financial management initiatives having the backing of the law.
Succinctly put, achieving transparency and accountability in the state has not been easy. The governor had to put an end to the old surreptitious and anachronistic practices where a few individuals held the state hostage with their ingratiating interests placed before the public interest. He put in place profoundly capable men and women who have been very responsive, sensible, practical and incandescent to their assignments. As observed by 16th Century Florentine statesman, Nicole Machiavelli, “the first method for estimating the intelligence of a ruler is to look at the men he has around him”. A great team delivers the goals.
Today, the Uzodimma administration has institutionalized transparency, accountability and the processes and procedures of state business respond to c them methodically. The State Accountant General made it point blank that since 2020 when Governor Uzodimma assumed office, the state budget processes have been participatory, upholding the state’s chatter of demands of autonomous Communities, traditional rulers, Town Unions, LGA’s, civil society organizations, professional bodies, etc, with strict adherence to world bank guidelines and best global practices.
The Imo State Accountant General also maintained that the state government under the guidance of Governor Hope Uzodimma always guarantees the implementation of due process mechanisms to ensure efficient contract system, with no room for over bloated contract prices regime. He added that the state civil service reformation is continuous with training and retraining of staff to bring them at par with their counterparts in any clime. Also the state IGR system has been revamped and reorganized for improved results delivery with the blocking of possible revenue leakages and exploring of new avenues of revenue generation and collection.
The Accountant General submitted that Uzodinmma’s administration has adopted nd embraced open or transparent system of government in which the accurate -eporting of its financial activities has been timely and in line with world bank template and adherence to specific professional dictum. The state government, the Accountant General insists, has also put up most of its activities in the cloud for everyone to see as the state’s website is easily accessible to all, adding that this is a creation of the 3R administration to keep the people properly informed on its activities.
Actually, Governor Uzodimma has made Imolites proud by the transformational measures he has undertaken since assuming office in 2020. The World Bank recognition and award through the states Fiscal Transparency, Accountability and Sustainability Project (SFTAS) is a testament to this and the impact of this transparency in administrative processes is being significantly felt across the state with infrastructural development projects enhancing the quality of life of the people.
The governor has proved to all that he did not just desire to lead the state for the sake of it. As a leader, he is leading the people to a vision of a better future for all. According to Denis Waitley, “the greatest achievements are those that benefit others”. Governor Hope Uzodimma is surefooted and knowledgeable such that critics and skeptics who had dismissed him as phlegmatic, otiose and ossified are left flummoxed
Indeed, Imolites have benefited from Governor Uzodimma’s leadership acumen as very strong foundation has now been laid for an egalitarian, prosperous and totally developed state. He has proved, along with American President Abraham Lincoln that, “The dogmas of the quiet past are inadequate for the stormy present. Creativity is the key!.
Dr. Joseph Aniemeka Nwachukwu
Public Affairs Analyst
NIGERIA NEWSPOINT
