Imo State Governor, Owelle Rochas, has moved to strengthen the fourth tier government system by spelling out the duties of the recently appointed Government Liaison Officers (GLOs).

Imo is the only one among Nigeria’s 36 states operating the Community Government Council system introduced by Okorocha, who said it is aimed to ensure that his administration’s programmes and policies are replicated in all the communities of the state.

Okorocha has given the GLOs nine major duties, according to a statement signed by his Special Assistant on Media, Mr. Ebere Uzoukwa. The duties are as follows:

1. To identify schools for possible renovation in the communities
2. To create boarder with other communities by erecting sign posts
3. To ensure that all the necessary logistics are put in place to ensure effective operations of the Community Government headquarters
4. To identify Health Centers for immediate take-over by the host communities
5. To promote agriculture in the rural communities by identifyingand acquiring farmland for massive agriculturalpractice
6. To identify on-going road projects in their various communities and ensure the compliance of contractors handling the projects
7. To promote the activities of rescue mission government in their various communities as well as introduce rescue mission slogan/song for peace and unity in Imo state
8. To engage a surveyor/town planner that will plan each of the communities as a city for further developmental projects towards making Imo a one-city state
9. To re-organise and possibly build a new community market to encourage trade and other economic activities at the community level

Uzoukwa, however, explained that “the responsibilities of the GLOs are not limited to the above as Gov. Owelle Rochas Okorocha may deem it necessary to assign some other functions to any GLO also deemed peculiar to his/her community and for the overall good governance of the state.”

He said that Okorocha’s commitment “towards enthroning governance, unlocking the hidden resources in the rural communities and fast-tracking development in the rural communitieslargely informed the rational behind appointing prominent persons including members of Imo State House of Assembly, Commissioners, Special Advisers, Senior Special Assistants, Special Assistants, Executive Assistants, Political and Community leaders and other well-meaning individuals as GLOs to represent their respective communities in the Community Government Council.”

•Photo: Governor Okorocha.