The Imo State Government and the 27 Local Government Areas (LGAs) have signed a renewed Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) aimed at strengthening collaboration, promoting accountability and accelerating sustainable development at the grassroots.
Speaking at the signing ceremony in Owerri, Governor Hope Uzodimma, represented by the Deputy Governor, Lady Chinyere Ihuoma Ekomaru, described the agreement as a significant milestone in the administration’s commitment to people-centred governance.
He said the renewed MoU goes beyond a formal document, stressing that it reflects a shared commitment by the state and local governments to deliver the dividends of good governance to every community, irrespective of location.
According to the governor, local governments remain the tier of government closest to the people and the primary platform through which government policies are translated into programmes that directly impact citizens’ daily lives.
“Strengthening collaboration between the state government and the local government councils is essential for effective governance and inclusive development,” he said.
Uzodimma urged council chairmen and other stakeholders to treat the renewed agreement as a binding commitment to excellence, integrity and responsible leadership rather than a ceremonial exercise. He added that sustainable development can only be achieved through partnership, cooperation and mutual trust.
The governor noted that his administration’s 3R agenda—Rehabilitation, Reconstruction and Recovery—continues to promote transparency, collaboration and people-focused governance. He congratulated the chairmen of the 27 councils and charged them to remain committed to delivering quality governance at the grassroots.
He expressed confidence that the renewed partnership would usher in a new era of cooperation, accountability and accelerated development across communities in the state.
Commissioner for Finance and Coordinating Economy, Hon. Chuck Chukwuemeka, said the event marked the renewal of an MoU first signed between the state government and the local councils about four to five years ago.
He explained that the ceremony also provided an opportunity to brief newly elected local government chairmen and Directors of Administration and General Services on the One Community One Revenue Agent (OCORA) initiative, as many of them were not part of the earlier engagement.
Chukwuemeka recalled that upon assuming office, Governor Uzodimma identified the state’s huge infrastructure deficit and recognised the need to strengthen internally generated revenue (IGR) rather than rely solely on federal allocations.
He said the administration adopted a collaborative approach to revenue administration and collection between the state and local governments, leveraging existing infrastructure to expand the revenue base and finance development projects.
Chairman of the Imo State Internal Revenue Service (IIRS), Mr. Justice Okoye, described the OCORA initiative as a strategic programme designed to strengthen the state’s revenue system through community-based tax administration.
He said the initiative would improve transparency, accountability and efficiency in revenue collection while expanding the tax net to cover more operators in the informal sector.
According to him, increased internally generated revenue will translate into improved infrastructure, better public services and sustainable development across the state.
In his vote of thanks, the Chairman of the Association of Local Governments of Nigeria (ALGON) in Imo State and Executive Chairman of Oru West Local Government Area, Hon. (Engr.) Ikenna Anthony Adikibe, commended Governor Uzodimma and the leadership of the Imo State Internal Revenue Service for introducing the OCORA initiative.
He described the programme as a bold step towards boosting internally generated revenue, promoting transparency and driving sustainable development, while assuring the state government of the full support and cooperation of all 27 local government chairmen in its implementation.
Dignitaries at the event included the Chief of Staff to the Governor, Barr. Nnamdi Anyaehie; the Deputy Chief of Staff on General Duties, Chief Ferdinand Uzodimma; the Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Hon. Ruby Emele; and the chairmen of the state’s 27 local government councils.
