By Prof. Protus Nathan Uzorma
Gov. Hope Uzodimma has been doing his best in delivering the dividend of democracy to ndi Imo since he assumed office as the executive governor, but not without strong challenges. However, there is need for improvement as no government can satisfy the needs of everyone simultaneously. Building strong political institutions is crucial for sustainable development in any given nation especially in Imo State.
One of the things the administration of Gov. Hope Uzodimma has done which none of his predecessors was able to do is the construction of the three major federal roads in Imo State- Owerri to Umuahia, Owerri to Okigwe and Owerri to Orlu. These three geopolitical roads, have distinguished Senator Uzodimma from his predecessors. I ‘m a social critic and I must say things the way I perceive them. I’m not here to sing any political doxology to the praise and glory of anyone. I may be misunderstood but the truth remains evident!
Political institutions provide the framework for governance, decision-making, and policy implementation. When these institutions are strong, they can drive economic growth, social progress, and environmental sustainability. In Imo State, like many other parts of Nigeria, political institutions have been weak and ineffective. This has hindered the state’s ability to achieve sustainable development. The state’s economy has struggled, poverty and inequality have persisted, and infrastructure has remained underdeveloped. However, the Governor has been doing his best in the area of solid road construction.
To build strong political institutions, Imo State needs to prioritize transparency, accountability, and participation. This means ensuring that government decision-making processes are open and inclusive, that citizens have access to information, and that leaders are held accountable for their actions. Another important step is to strengthen the state’s legislative and judicial institutions. The legislature should be empowered to carry out its oversight functions effectively, while the judiciary should be independent and impartial. This will help to ensure that power is separated and that checks and balances are in place.
Imo State also needs to invest in its electoral institutions. The state’s electoral commission should be independent and well-funded, and elections should be free, fair, and credible. This will help to ensure that citizens have confidence in the electoral process and that leaders are accountable to the people. In addition, Imo State should prioritize citizen participation and engagement. Citizens should be encouraged to participate in decision-making processes, and their voices should be heard. This can be achieved through mechanisms such as town hall meetings, citizen juries, and participatory budgeting.
The state should also invest in its civil service. The civil service should be professional, merit-based, and well-trained. This will help to ensure that the state has the capacity to implement policies and programs effectively. Furthermore, Imo State should prioritize anti-corruption efforts. Corruption is a major obstacle to sustainable development, and it undermines trust in government. The state should establish strong anti-corruption institutions, and leaders should be held accountable for corrupt practices.
Imo State should also invest in its infrastructure. The state’s infrastructure is underdeveloped, and this hinders economic growth and social progress. The state should prioritize investments in roads, electricity, water, and other critical infrastructure. In addition, Imo State should prioritize human development. The state should invest in education, healthcare, and other social services. This will help to ensure that citizens have the skills and knowledge they need to compete in the economy. There is need to also prioritize environmental sustainability. The state should invest in renewable energy, sustainable agriculture, and other environmentally-friendly initiatives. This will help to ensure that the state’s development is sustainable and equitable.
It is very important to invest in statistical institutions. The state should have accurate and reliable data on its economy, population, and infrastructure. This will help policymakers to make informed decisions and to track progress towards sustainable development. Effort should be made to prioritize leadership and political will. Building strong political institutions requires strong leadership and political commitment. Leaders should be willing to make tough decisions, to take risks, and to prioritize the long-term interests of the state. In addition, building strong political institutions is critical for sustainable development in any nation. There is need to prioritize transparency, accountability, and participation, and to invest in its electoral institutions, civil service, and infrastructure.
Transparency in governance is essential for building strong political institutions in Nigeria. When citizens have access to information about government activities, decisions, and finances, they can hold their leaders accountable for their actions. This leads to a more responsive and responsible government. In Imo State, transparency in governance can help reduce corruption, which is a significant challenge facing the state. When government contracts, budgets, and expenditures are made public, citizens can track how their resources are being used. This helps prevent embezzlement and misappropriation of funds.
Governor Hope Uzodimma is demonstrating his commitment to transparency by ensuring that salaries of civil servants are paid regularly, this, I must confess that nobody can deny. But my worry is for those he called casual workers whose seven months salaries (spanning from January, February, October, November, and December 2024 and January, February 2025) are not paid. This delayed salary payments can lead to dissatisfaction among workers, which can negatively impact their productivity and the overall economy of the state. It’s of note however, that other African countries have made significant progress in promoting transparency in governance. For example, Rwanda has implemented various initiatives to promote transparency and accountability, including the use of technology to track government expenditures and service delivery.
In Ghana, the government has established the Office of the Auditor-General to ensure that public funds are used efficiently and effectively. The office publishes annual reports on its findings, which helps to promote transparency and accountability in government. Similarly, in Imo State, Governor Uzodimma can establish an office of the auditor-general to oversee government expenditures and ensure that public funds are used for the benefit of citizens. Transparency in governance also promotes citizen participation in decision-making processes. When citizens have access to information, they can engage in informed discussions and debates about government policies and programs. This helps to build trust between citizens and their leaders. In addition, transparency in governance helps to reduce poverty and inequality. When government programs and services are transparent, citizens can access them more easily, which helps to reduce poverty and inequality.
Imo state government can promote transparency in governance by ensuring that government information is accessible to citizens. This can be achieved through various means, including the use of technology, such as websites and social media platforms. Our governor can promote transparency in governance further by supporting the passage of the Freedom of Information Bill in Imo State. This bill will provide citizens with the legal right to access government information, which will help to promote transparency and accountability.
Transparency in governance also helps to promote economic development in any given country. When investors have access to accurate and reliable information about the state’s economy, they can make informed decisions about investing in the state. This can lead to increased economic growth and development. Moreover, transparency in governance helps to reduce conflict and promote peace and stability. When citizens have access to information, they can hold their leaders accountable for their actions, which help to reduce tensions and conflicts.