Richard Ginika Izuora
The Governor of Imo State, Hope Uzodinma, on Thursday, October 1, disclosed that he had to clear the systematic corruption he inherited from the administration of former governor of the state, Emeka Ihedioha.
Uzodinma made the disclosure during the ceremony marking Nigeria’s 60th independence anniversary in Owerri, the state capital.
He further stated that he uncovered payroll fraud from Ihedioha, but added that
despite the challenges; he had made tremendous headways since he became governor in January.
The governor said, “Coming into office barely nine months ago, we encountered a microcosm of systemic corruption and disruption in the public sector. We met monumental payroll fraud in the system; we met a disoriented and disarticulated civil service; and a very sorry state of infrastructural provisions.
“Corrosive corruption in all facets of society makes governance more herculean. A horrendous civil war and serial military rule in the short span of 60 years has not helped matters either.”