Transition Committee Chairmen of the 27 local governments in Imo State have been challenged to ensure full implementation of the Imo Rural Roads Maintenance Agency, (IRROMA) projects in their domain within the 30 days stipulated for the completion of the first 300 rural roads.

They were also encouraged to utilize this rare opportunity provided by the state government to make the rural people comfortable this Christmas period.

Bishop of the Anglican Diocese of Egbu, Prof. Emmanuel Iheagwam, who gave the charge during a Eucharistic Service of confirmation, admission and induction at Zion Anglican Church, Okpala for Okpala parishioners, noted that in less than 14 days the first phase of the project would be expected to have been completed yet there was nothing on ground to show that some of the Council leaderships would match the IRROMA vision with action.

He said the people were watching in expectation that roads in the rural areas would soon wear new looks.

The bishop said that the Imo State government has played its own role by initiating the IRROMA programme and having successfully distributed the necessary equipment to the Councils, it was now left to them to pursue the implementation of the programme.

He acknowledged the pains and anxiety most governors and others in leadership positions go through daily in a bid to ensure that their policies were duly implemented and expressed the hope that the Transition Committee Chairmen would meet the people’s expectations.

He advised the Transition Committee Chairmen to be extremely careful in handling the IRROMA project funds as the people of the State would hold them responsible for any lapse in executing the projects.

He said they should also be cautious in the management of IRROMA project funds, stressing that anyone found to have embezzled the project’s funds or any other fund meant for the welfare of the common man, would never go free nor have any hiding place, especially now that the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission’s (EFCC) search light is beamed on the local government administrations.

Bishop Iheagwam noted that Nigerians were showing more concern over the happenings around them so much that any act lacking in transparency, especially at the Councils, would be readily exposed and the perpetrators brought to book.

The Anglican Prelate also urged Christians to regularly examine themselves, ensuring that they were not taken unawares when Jesus Christ comes.

To the Confirmation Candidates the Bishop said he was in sympathy with them because they lacked a bright future in Nigeria.

He advised them not to delve into crimes simply because the Nation has no future for them, rather they should embrace and hold tenaciously on to Jesus Christ, restraining themselves from any act capable of denying them a place in heaven.

The Bishop who spoke in praise of the Archdeacon, Ven Geoffery Okorafor and other Church workers in the parish for the number of candidates presented for confirmation, admissions and induction also commended the congregation for attending the service in good number in spite of the fact that it was midweek. Archdeacon and Vicar of Okpala

Parish, Ven. Geoffery Okorafor expressed gratitude to the Bishop for the visit and prayed God to continue to give him renewed strength as he undertakes these pastoral visits.

Earlier in his sermon, the Bishop’s Chaplain, Rev Chukwuma Chimezie, expressed dismay that some Christians in leadership positions have turned the people into objects of sufferings and pains.