OWERRI—The former Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Chief
Emeka Ihedioha, has expressed shock over media reports that Imo State
government has earmarked over N600 million for Christmas and New Year
decorations in the state.
According to a press statement by his
media aide, Mr. Chibuike Onyeukwu, the former Deputy Speaker questioned
why Imo should spend such huge sums at a time the citizenry are going
through untold hardship arising from over 20 months of unpaid salary
arrears and pensions.
It was the considered opinion of Chief
Ihedioha that the 27 local government councils had been comatose for
years, while several industrial disputes had remained unresolved.
“There
are several unresolved industrial disputes, while the state’s
infrastructure base has collapsed. Today, there is palpable lack of
vision for the genuine development of the state, but the government
chose to embark on such inciting and frivolous window dressing,”
Ihedioha fumed.
Continuing, Chief Ihedioha said that “despite the
prevailing widespread disenchantment being expressed by citizens, who
recently called for his immediate impeachment over the alarming rate of
hunger and insecurity occasioned by the inept handling of issues of
governance and unrepentant deceit so far exhibited by the Okorocha led
administration, the governor has refused to repent or address such
concerns and other critical issues.”
While saying that
“preparations for Christmas celebration is a tradition all over the
world,” Ihedioha, however, said, it was “ridiculous and indeed smacks of
insensitivity for this government to spend over N600 million on
decorations when families can no longer afford their meals and basic
needs as a result of non- payment of salaries, pensions and other
entitlements.”
He expressed displeasure that Governor Okorocha had refused to constitute his cabinet six months after election.
No comments:
Post a Comment