January 16, 2009
‘Angel Lucifer’ may have literarily been on long holidays to Imo State since the last governorship election in the ‘Eastern Heartland’, following the alleged maladministration in the state since the inception of the present administration.
‘Angel Lucifer’ may have literarily been on long holidays to Imo State since the last governorship election in the ‘Eastern Heartland’, following the alleged maladministration in the state since the inception of the present administration.
It is no news that the incumbent governor of the state, Chief Ikedi Ohakim is a child of circumstance, as well as a product of ‘political arithmetic’. This, analysts blamed on the myriads of problems plaguing the state, even as he (Governor Ohakim) is being accused of not having any developmental agenda and vision for the state.
Since inception about one and half years ago, the present administration may have recorded some achievements, such as the continuous beautification of Owerri, the State Capital, through regular painting and re-painting of the major streets of the town. This singular gesture, under its ‘Clean and Green’ initiative returned the lost glory of the state as the cleanest state capital in Nigeria.
Cleanliness they say is next to Godliness, and as such, the present status of the state capital as the country’s cleanest city is no doubt one of the major steps in bringing the people closer to God, as well as reconciling them back with God. It has also been lauded by many as a step in the right direction.
However, beyond ‘Clean and Green’, the impact of Government is yet to be felt by majority of the people of the state, as there seems to be no proof of the fact that the state’s abundant resources are being entrusted in the hands of credible and reliable persons.
First, the so much hullabaloo about the ‘Clean and Green’ initiative appears to be mere propaganda geared towards deceiving majority of the citizens of the state, since its manifestation is only noticed in the media, while in practical terms, there is nothing on ground to show for it.
Just recently, the state government launched what it called the Imo State Rural Roads Maintenance Agency (IRROMA), which was widely celebrated in many quarters. The launch was attended by the Vice President, Dr. Goodluck Jonathan. At the occasion, the Government promised to construct and rehabilitate about three hundred roads in the state within three months (90 days). Almost six months after the promise, there is nothing tangible on ground to show any form of seriousness on the side of government to fulfill the promise, apart from very gigantic multiple bill boards at various locations in the state.
Just recently also, the Special Adviser to the Governor on Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Barrister Kezie Ogaziechi directed all Transition Committee Chairmen in the state to forward a list of their projects under the ‘IRROMA’ Agenda. One now wonders if state government is indirectly asking the TC Chairmen to fund the Agency’s project from paltry allocation they receive monthly.
The Imo State Job Centre is another gamble flouted before the people. This centre was said to have been created to address the problem of unemployment in the state, and only God knows to what extent this programme has succeeded.
Again, the present administration promised the dualization of major roads in the state. Unfortunately, what we can see today is mere road demarcation. No wonder, a certain lawmaker in the state described it as ‘dividization’.
A situation whereby already existing narrow roads are divided without expansion is an obvious show of lack of vision and political will to develop the state. For instance, the ‘Orlu/Owerri Road’ from the Warehouse Junction, through Alvan Ikoku College of Education, constructed several decades ago, which is long overdue for expansion, considering the high flow of traffic has recently been divided by the government without expansion, all in the name of dualization. This development has not only worsened the traffic situation in the area, but also a nightmare to road users.
Again, the obvious waste of the state’s resources in the name of the media campaigns, advertisements and construction of bill boards is also a source of concern.
While one agree that there is need for public enlightenment and media campaigns, the diversion of billions worth of our naira and tax payer’s money, using the cloak of worthless media campaigns aimed at deceiving people in the country and beyond is also unacceptable.
In addition, crime appears to be on the increase in the state. This, many have blamed on the return of some bad eggs to the state. Some of these individuals, who were linked to the problems that led to the 1996 revolution and disturbances in Owerri, were said to have been declared wanted and banished from the state. Investigation however revealed that they are all back to town, and are said to be enjoying the protection and cover of the state government. The government, however, is yet to take practical steps to debunk the allegation.
More so, Imo people and Nigerians at large have continued to wonder why the present administration in the state prefers Transition Committees in the various Local Government Areas of the State, instead of following the conduct of Council Elections.
Available statistics suggests that Transition Committees are conduit pipes through which public funds are diverted into personal accounts. For instance, for an average of seventy five million naira (N75,000,000.00) that comes to each of the Local Governments in the state monthly, only about thirteen million (N13,000,000.00) gets to the Transition Committee members in each of the Council Areas. The implication therefore is that about sixty two million (N62 million) belonging to each of the twenty seven Local Government Areas in the state go down the drain monthly, unaccounted for; while the rural areas of the state continue to be underdeveloped, with hunger, starvation, suffering and lack as the daily companion of residents.
The said money (N13m) released to each of the Local Government Councils staff salaries, not to talk of embarking on infrastructural and human development.
Ironically, the Transition Committee which is bared from embarking on any project is today being asked to forward lists of projects executed under ‘IRROMA’.
Further investigations also revealed that some billions of naira belonging to Imo State, which former President Olusegun Obasanjo’s government allegedly seized, were released to the incumbent administration. The said funds were released and the governor went ahead to take a loan of about forty billion naira (N40b), last year. One now wonders where all the monies are going to, especially, in consideration of the fact that no meaningful development appears to be going on in the state.
In addition, the present administration made so many hullabaloos about completing the new Imo State Government House Project, initiated by former Governor Achike Udenwa. Surprisingly, it has suddenly somersaulted and bulldozed some parts of the present Government House. Another round of contract and constitution is about commencing, abandoning the earlier widely publicized ‘new government house’ projects.
Worthy of mention also, is the fact that the Imo State Liaison Office in Abuja is said to have been demolished. Reasons adduced to the demolition were that the building is old fashioned and that there was the need to construct a ‘new fashioned’ building as liaison office.
More so, the present ‘hoolabaloo’ about repackaging Ahiajoku Lecture and the visit of the literary icon, Chnua Achebe is another play to waste and divert public funds. Ahiajoku Lecture which began over three decades ago, has quite well been in the interest of Igbo language, as well as Igbo as a tribe.
Grasshoppers International Stadium, Owerri has always been the venue of the programme, and this year’s shift to ‘STENOTAPH’ as a venue is also suspicious.
One also wonders the tens and hundreds of millions of naira being spent on media adverts and construction of bill boards; as there is no news about the visit of Chinua Achebe to Owerri.
Furthermore, people’s freedom of expression appears to be hindered. In the midst of all the perceived misdemeanors, it is a crime to speak or criticize the government, as any attempt to do so is allegedly greeted with utmost brutality and intimidation. “Nobody can talk. If you talk, you die”, said an Honourable member of the House of Assembly.
Anchored on the foregoing, one can easily conclude that Imo State is under siege, by an oligarchy of some very powerful persons, who are all out to oppress and deceive the people.
However, it is better to die standing than to live on one’s knees, as every onlooker is either a coward or a traitor. The House of Assembly appears compromised and is allegedly accused of being under mortgage.
Reports from grapevine sources alleged that the Executive pays each of the members of the House of Assembly a whooping sum of five million naira (N5m) monthly outside their basic remunerations. They are also being offered gifts of landed property in the state capital, among other numerous incentives, used in silencing them.
Be that as it may, members of the Imo State House of Assembly must wipe this shame from their faces, wake up to the challenge of performing their constitutional duties, probe the various alleged misconducts leveled against the Executive Arm of Government, with the view to righting the wrongs in the system and sanitize the state, as posterity shall not forgive them for their inactions.
The Imo State Governor, Chief Ikedi Ohakim, must henceforth have a rethink and realize that the destiny of almost five million residents of the state are in his hands, and as such, they deserve a better treatment, let transparency and accountability be his watch word.
Again, government must as a matter of serendipity, explain to Imolites, Nigerians, as well as the world what he has done with almost a trillion naira that has entered the state coffers in the last one and half years. Also, the rationale behind the money he borrowed last year also needs to be explained.
Furthermore, Transition and Caretaker Committees in the Local Government Areas is an illegal conduct, having no constitutional backing. Opposition parties, Non-Governmental Organizations, Human Rights crusaders and activists as well as concerned citizens must wake up to challenge. The courts should be approached, to declare same illegal and compel the governor to conduct elections into the various Local Government Councils.
More so, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, Independent Corrupt Practices Commission and other anti-graft agencies must swing into action immediately, and probe the action and activities of both the Executive and Legislative Arms of Government in the state, with the view to sanitizing the system.
In addition, the nation’s judiciary must intensify efforts to conclude and adjudicate on the Governorship election petition matter in the state, to enable citizens have proper direction even as many Nigerians still see the Governor Ikedi Ohakim as an acting Governor in the State, pending when the final verdict is given.
The former governor of the State and incumbent Minister of Commerce and Industry has a share of the blame of the political crisis and confusion in the state. In fact, he is at the centre of the problems. He must also find his way back home, to be at the fore-front of correcting the problems he created as posterity will not forgive him if Imo experiences another revolution.
The National Assembly should also desist from politicizing the freedom of Information bill, ensure its early passage to enable the Nigerian press have unhindered access to information, to enable it effectively perform its fundamental function as the watchdog of the society.
Finally, Imo people must wake up to the challenge, take their destiny in their hands and stand against this injustice as only popular resistance can break the chains of oppression and change history.
Now is the time. All hands must be on deck.
It is no news that the incumbent governor of the state, Chief Ikedi Ohakim is a child of circumstance, as well as a product of ‘political arithmetic’. This, analysts blamed on the myriads of problems plaguing the state, even as he (Governor Ohakim) is being accused of not having any developmental agenda and vision for the state.
Since inception about one and half years ago, the present administration may have recorded some achievements, such as the continuous beautification of Owerri, the State Capital, through regular painting and re-painting of the major streets of the town. This singular gesture, under its ‘Clean and Green’ initiative returned the lost glory of the state as the cleanest state capital in Nigeria.
Cleanliness they say is next to Godliness, and as such, the present status of the state capital as the country’s cleanest city is no doubt one of the major steps in bringing the people closer to God, as well as reconciling them back with God. It has also been lauded by many as a step in the right direction.
However, beyond ‘Clean and Green’, the impact of Government is yet to be felt by majority of the people of the state, as there seems to be no proof of the fact that the state’s abundant resources are being entrusted in the hands of credible and reliable persons.
First, the so much hullabaloo about the ‘Clean and Green’ initiative appears to be mere propaganda geared towards deceiving majority of the citizens of the state, since its manifestation is only noticed in the media, while in practical terms, there is nothing on ground to show for it.
Just recently, the state government launched what it called the Imo State Rural Roads Maintenance Agency (IRROMA), which was widely celebrated in many quarters. The launch was attended by the Vice President, Dr. Goodluck Jonathan. At the occasion, the Government promised to construct and rehabilitate about three hundred roads in the state within three months (90 days). Almost six months after the promise, there is nothing tangible on ground to show any form of seriousness on the side of government to fulfill the promise, apart from very gigantic multiple bill boards at various locations in the state.
Just recently also, the Special Adviser to the Governor on Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Barrister Kezie Ogaziechi directed all Transition Committee Chairmen in the state to forward a list of their projects under the ‘IRROMA’ Agenda. One now wonders if state government is indirectly asking the TC Chairmen to fund the Agency’s project from paltry allocation they receive monthly.
The Imo State Job Centre is another gamble flouted before the people. This centre was said to have been created to address the problem of unemployment in the state, and only God knows to what extent this programme has succeeded.
Again, the present administration promised the dualization of major roads in the state. Unfortunately, what we can see today is mere road demarcation. No wonder, a certain lawmaker in the state described it as ‘dividization’.
A situation whereby already existing narrow roads are divided without expansion is an obvious show of lack of vision and political will to develop the state. For instance, the ‘Orlu/Owerri Road’ from the Warehouse Junction, through Alvan Ikoku College of Education, constructed several decades ago, which is long overdue for expansion, considering the high flow of traffic has recently been divided by the government without expansion, all in the name of dualization. This development has not only worsened the traffic situation in the area, but also a nightmare to road users.
Again, the obvious waste of the state’s resources in the name of the media campaigns, advertisements and construction of bill boards is also a source of concern.
While one agree that there is need for public enlightenment and media campaigns, the diversion of billions worth of our naira and tax payer’s money, using the cloak of worthless media campaigns aimed at deceiving people in the country and beyond is also unacceptable.
In addition, crime appears to be on the increase in the state. This, many have blamed on the return of some bad eggs to the state. Some of these individuals, who were linked to the problems that led to the 1996 revolution and disturbances in Owerri, were said to have been declared wanted and banished from the state. Investigation however revealed that they are all back to town, and are said to be enjoying the protection and cover of the state government. The government, however, is yet to take practical steps to debunk the allegation.
More so, Imo people and Nigerians at large have continued to wonder why the present administration in the state prefers Transition Committees in the various Local Government Areas of the State, instead of following the conduct of Council Elections.
Available statistics suggests that Transition Committees are conduit pipes through which public funds are diverted into personal accounts. For instance, for an average of seventy five million naira (N75,000,000.00) that comes to each of the Local Governments in the state monthly, only about thirteen million (N13,000,000.00) gets to the Transition Committee members in each of the Council Areas. The implication therefore is that about sixty two million (N62 million) belonging to each of the twenty seven Local Government Areas in the state go down the drain monthly, unaccounted for; while the rural areas of the state continue to be underdeveloped, with hunger, starvation, suffering and lack as the daily companion of residents.
The said money (N13m) released to each of the Local Government Councils staff salaries, not to talk of embarking on infrastructural and human development.
Ironically, the Transition Committee which is bared from embarking on any project is today being asked to forward lists of projects executed under ‘IRROMA’.
Further investigations also revealed that some billions of naira belonging to Imo State, which former President Olusegun Obasanjo’s government allegedly seized, were released to the incumbent administration. The said funds were released and the governor went ahead to take a loan of about forty billion naira (N40b), last year. One now wonders where all the monies are going to, especially, in consideration of the fact that no meaningful development appears to be going on in the state.
In addition, the present administration made so many hullabaloos about completing the new Imo State Government House Project, initiated by former Governor Achike Udenwa. Surprisingly, it has suddenly somersaulted and bulldozed some parts of the present Government House. Another round of contract and constitution is about commencing, abandoning the earlier widely publicized ‘new government house’ projects.
Worthy of mention also, is the fact that the Imo State Liaison Office in Abuja is said to have been demolished. Reasons adduced to the demolition were that the building is old fashioned and that there was the need to construct a ‘new fashioned’ building as liaison office.
More so, the present ‘hoolabaloo’ about repackaging Ahiajoku Lecture and the visit of the literary icon, Chnua Achebe is another play to waste and divert public funds. Ahiajoku Lecture which began over three decades ago, has quite well been in the interest of Igbo language, as well as Igbo as a tribe.
Grasshoppers International Stadium, Owerri has always been the venue of the programme, and this year’s shift to ‘STENOTAPH’ as a venue is also suspicious.
One also wonders the tens and hundreds of millions of naira being spent on media adverts and construction of bill boards; as there is no news about the visit of Chinua Achebe to Owerri.
Furthermore, people’s freedom of expression appears to be hindered. In the midst of all the perceived misdemeanors, it is a crime to speak or criticize the government, as any attempt to do so is allegedly greeted with utmost brutality and intimidation. “Nobody can talk. If you talk, you die”, said an Honourable member of the House of Assembly.
Anchored on the foregoing, one can easily conclude that Imo State is under siege, by an oligarchy of some very powerful persons, who are all out to oppress and deceive the people.
However, it is better to die standing than to live on one’s knees, as every onlooker is either a coward or a traitor. The House of Assembly appears compromised and is allegedly accused of being under mortgage.
Reports from grapevine sources alleged that the Executive pays each of the members of the House of Assembly a whooping sum of five million naira (N5m) monthly outside their basic remunerations. They are also being offered gifts of landed property in the state capital, among other numerous incentives, used in silencing them.
Be that as it may, members of the Imo State House of Assembly must wipe this shame from their faces, wake up to the challenge of performing their constitutional duties, probe the various alleged misconducts leveled against the Executive Arm of Government, with the view to righting the wrongs in the system and sanitize the state, as posterity shall not forgive them for their inactions.
The Imo State Governor, Chief Ikedi Ohakim, must henceforth have a rethink and realize that the destiny of almost five million residents of the state are in his hands, and as such, they deserve a better treatment, let transparency and accountability be his watch word.
Again, government must as a matter of serendipity, explain to Imolites, Nigerians, as well as the world what he has done with almost a trillion naira that has entered the state coffers in the last one and half years. Also, the rationale behind the money he borrowed last year also needs to be explained.
Furthermore, Transition and Caretaker Committees in the Local Government Areas is an illegal conduct, having no constitutional backing. Opposition parties, Non-Governmental Organizations, Human Rights crusaders and activists as well as concerned citizens must wake up to challenge. The courts should be approached, to declare same illegal and compel the governor to conduct elections into the various Local Government Councils.
More so, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, Independent Corrupt Practices Commission and other anti-graft agencies must swing into action immediately, and probe the action and activities of both the Executive and Legislative Arms of Government in the state, with the view to sanitizing the system.
In addition, the nation’s judiciary must intensify efforts to conclude and adjudicate on the Governorship election petition matter in the state, to enable citizens have proper direction even as many Nigerians still see the Governor Ikedi Ohakim as an acting Governor in the State, pending when the final verdict is given.
The former governor of the State and incumbent Minister of Commerce and Industry has a share of the blame of the political crisis and confusion in the state. In fact, he is at the centre of the problems. He must also find his way back home, to be at the fore-front of correcting the problems he created as posterity will not forgive him if Imo experiences another revolution.
The National Assembly should also desist from politicizing the freedom of Information bill, ensure its early passage to enable the Nigerian press have unhindered access to information, to enable it effectively perform its fundamental function as the watchdog of the society.
Finally, Imo people must wake up to the challenge, take their destiny in their hands and stand against this injustice as only popular resistance can break the chains of oppression and change history.
Now is the time. All hands must be on deck.
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