By Chinyere Aruogu
The eight member panel on New Autonomous Communities in Imo State led by Imo Deputy Governor, Eze Madumere on Wednesday, May 10 began sitting aimed at resolving misunderstandings and misgivings affecting their statuses as recommended autonomous communities due for formal recognition by the government of the state.
Governor Rochas Okorocha of Imo State constituted the panel on March 20, 2017, appointing his deputy as chairman.
The Madumere-led panel is to primarily look into crises rocking most of the troubled autonomous communities based on the barrage of petitions emanating from their indigenes.
In his inaugural address to the first batch of the representatives of affected autonomous communities from Okigwe zone at the Office of the Deputy Governor, Government House, Owerri, Madumere reminded the autonomous communities involved that they were recommended by Imo State House of Assembly.
He however revealed that problems militating against Owelle Rochas Okorocha led executive arm from presenting staff of office to the Eze-elects of the affected communities are not unconnected with the flood of petitions strongly opposing their formalization.
He affirmed that it was in a bid to resolve the lingering face off in the said communities that Governor Okorocha constituted a panel with a view to finding a common ground for the resolution of the misgivings.
He urged the representatives of first 32 communities drawn from four local governments in Okigwe zone, which are Isiala Mbano, Okigwe, Ehime and Onuimo to cooperate with the Panel so as to quickly dispense with dispatch the matter.
He also appealed to all to be open minded.
Other members of the panel are: Principal Secretary to the Deputy Governor, Nze Obinna Aharanwa (Secretary), Nze Simeon Iwunze, Chief Uche Mba, Adviser to the Deputy Governor on Community Government Council, HRH, Eze Ceaser Duru Eburuo, Mr. Isaac Oguzie, Director of Admin, Office of the Deputy Governor, Barr. Kelechi Ejiofor, a representative from Community Government Council.