Alex Ibeh

The 27 Local Government Chairmen in Imo State have ended a training to Strengthen the third tier Government organized by Government of Imo State Bureau of Public Procurement and Price Intelligence (BPPPI)

The three day enlightenment program tagged: ” Sustainable Procurement Training for Local Government Chairmen and Principal officers commenced on Wednesday 28th May and ended on Friday 30th May, 2025 at Rock View Hotels, Owerri, Imo State.

The Workshop brought together executive chairmen of all local councils and senior officials of the Nigeria Union of Local Government Employees (NULGE) to participate in the training.

Addressing newsmen on Friday, the Chairman of the Association of Local Governments of Nigeria (ALGON), Imo State Chapter, Hon. Ikenna Adikibe, while commending the State Governor Senator Hope Uzodimma for deeming it necessary to equip the LG Chairmen on the judicious management of funds described the training as a “knowledge-driven and impactful exercise” that will help local council leaders manage public resources with professionalism and integrity.

Adikibe,who doubles as the Chairman of Oru West further thanked Governor Uzodimma on behalf of other Chairmen for his consistent commitment to rejigging the local government system and capacity building. He noted that the initiative reflects the governor’s desire to institutionalize good governance practices at the local level.

Also speaking, Comrade Okey Okere, President of Imo NULGE and Vice Chairman of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) in the state, emphasized the significance of the Procurement Law in promoting transparency and discouraging corruption in public service.

He explained that the training aligned with international best practices, particularly those supported by global institutions like the World Bank. “A well-implemented procurement law ensures due process—from needs assessment and proper pricing to competitive bidding and transparent selection of contractors,” Okere said.

According to him, when followed strictly, procurement procedures help maximize public value by ensuring that limited resources are used efficiently and effectively.
Okere also revealed that although the workshop was initially scheduled to last five days, it concluded in three, thanks to the participants’ quick assimilation of the course content and the effectiveness of the program’s delivery.
Participants such as Hon. Ugochukwu Vitalis Obi (Etiokwe) of Njaba LGA and Hon. Ifunanya Nwanegwo of Mbaitolu LGA expressed satisfaction with the training, praising its hands-on and technology-driven approach. They described the experience as timely and essential for improving local administrative performance.

All council chairmen and senior NULGE officials attended the workshop and widely acknowledged it as a strategic investment in local government reform. Many expressed gratitude to Governor Uzodimma for prioritizing capacity development across all tiers of governance in Imo State.

Alex Ibeh

The National Union of Air Transport Employees (NUATE) has stepped up awareness Campaign to ensure a safe and secure operations in the Airspace Transport system.
This was disclosed during a two-day post May-Day lecture, 7th edition with the theme:
“Conflict Resolution and Restorative Justice” and Aviation Workers the Cornerstone of safe and Secure Skies” respectively.

Speaking at the event, the National President of National Union of Air Transport Employees (NUATE) and Chairman International Transport Workers Federation (ITF) Comrade Ben Nnabue said it is a measure to preventing accidents and ensuring that air craft are properly maintained.
He stated that the choice of Imo State was to encourage the State Governor Senator Hope Uzodimma for his Transformative Initiative at Sam Mbakwe Airport to have International flighting land at the Airport.
While Commending the Governor, he informed that with the measures been put in place, Airspace is safe and Secure.
According to him, the Membership of the Union cuts across every Airport in Nigeria both Government and Private owned.
He urged the members to speed up expectation to ensure that the sky is safe and Secure.

The Workshop which was organized by Jayson Terrel and Associates Ltd was held in Imo State from Monday 26th to Tuesday 27th May, 2027.
Declaring the Seminar open on Monday, Prof. Rev. Fr. Philip Ogbonna disclosed that mapping was the first process in conflict resolution to explore the solution, explaining that Mapping was to determine the cause of the conflict.
According to him, without Mapping, solution would be very difficult to achieve.
He noted that most Conflicts, with reference to Nigeria, some people are usually the beneficiaries.

In the lecture series, Prof. M. N. Obasi with the topic “Dispute resolution Mechanism: Mediation and Conciliation” said the point formed the course of Alternative Dispute resolution (ADR).
He encouraged workers to adopt ADR in settling disputes, saying that it is faster, cost effectiveness and at the same time achieve the same purpose.

Another Guest Speaker, Dr. Walter Emereole of whose topic was on “The impact of Clear Communication in Labour Relations” charged the Participants to take advantage of the lecture to identify communication gap in their work spheres as a tool for sustainable relations.
Also speaking on the 2nd day conference, Amb. Anthony C. Akalugo, the CEO of Leadership Sustainable Development Academy Ltd with a topic: “Sustainable Practices in Aviation Sector anchored on Aviation Workforce” averred that the discussion availed the participants the opportunity to explore some factors that affect sustainable business in Nigeria Aviation Sector,
He said: “the role of workers in the sustainability in the Aviation Industry is very essential for the interconnectivity, equipment, the regulatory Compliance and Organizational practices, all these interoperate to ensure a safe sky”

Meanwhile, the Organizer, Dr. Chioma Magnus Orjiakor stated that essence of choosing the topic was to expose the workers in aviation Industry and other workers across the country to take advantage of uzitiling the Alternative means of resolving issues other than the court.
According to him, the regular clamour for better treatment by Nigerian workers occasioned by Government’s treatment but unable to resove it. Most times, they resort to strike action.
He however pointed out that restorative Justice aim to restore promote sustainable peace by building stronger relationship between the Government and workers.

In the same vein, Comrade Ochem Aba of NUATE noted that the essence of the Workshop was to gather all their members to Imo State to take advantage of the awareness Campaign for the Security of both the workspace and the Industry

Alex Ibeh

The Federal Ministries of Environment and Finance were in Imo State on Tuesday
to Inspect some Communities been threatened by ecological degradation.

The Commissioner for Environment and Sanitation, Barr Major Ejikeme Emenike who received and led the joint delegation visited Ideato and Ikeduru local government Areas.

Speaking during the visit, the Commissioner for Environment, Sir Major Ejikeme Emenike reiterated the Imo State Government’s readiness to work with relevant federal agencies to address the ecological threat ravaging many communities especially Ideato nation and Ikeduru local government Areas.

Emenike disclosed that the tour aimed at efforts of the federal and state-level synergy to mitigate environmental degradation, prevent disaster, and promote sustainable development in the state

He urged communities to support and protect ecological projects when executed.

The inspection tour in Ikeduru focused on the Ugirike Erosion Site and the Inyishi Dam,

The Chairman of Ikeduru local government Area Hon. Justice Nze who received the team said the Ugirike erosion site, had long been identified as a major ecological threat, that continually endanger residential homes, roads, and farmlands.
He added that Inyishi Dam held significant potential for water supply, agricultural irrigation, and rural electrification.

Nze further commended the efforts of His Excellency, Sen Hope Uzodinma, the Executive Governor of Imo State for bringing the dividends of democracy to Ikeduru in particular and Imo State at large. He also appraised the synergy between the Imo State government and the federal government, expressing optimism that the collaborative approach by the team would fast-track intervention processes. This is even as he called for an urgency of addressing the erosion menace while drawing all attentions to Inyishi Dam for public benefit.

Those who made the team included the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, Mr Chukwuma Iheanacho and a team of Engineers from both federal and Imo State Governments, joint delegation from the Federal Ministry of Environment, the Ecological Fund Office, and the Federal Ministry of Finance.

Federal Ministry of Finance were present to evaluate the funding mechanisms, ensure transparency, and assess the feasibility of future ecological projects under the Ecological Fund Scheme.

The tour aimed at addressing pressing ecological challenges in the Southeast.