GOVERNOR OKOROCHA DID NOT SPEND N600 MILLION ON XMAS DECORATION

Report of the media attack launched against Governor Okorocha by the former Deputy Speaker of the Federal House of Representatives, Hon. Emeka Ihedioha is quite an unfortunate one. The report as received, gives everyone who comes across it the impression of comments made by a near frustrated person arising from the loss of an election and refusing to leave with the outcome. In the report credited to Hon. Ihedioha, he accused the state governor, His Excellency, Owelle Rochas Okorocha of spending N600 million on decorations for the Christmas celebration.

It is unfortunate that some politicians do not have "second addresses" and keep themselves busy and seek attention by writing false and unsubstantiated press releases just to gain media attention. They have never been known to have done any work outside politics and find it difficult living outside the pecks of public office and thereby constitute a nuisance to government of the day.

Ordinarily, one could have dismissed the report but with its reportage in a revered newspaper like Vanguard, it should not be taken with a pinch of salt in order not give the slightest impression of an atom of truth in the career politicians claims. It is expedient to categorically state at this time that the Rescue Mission Government under the proactive leadership of His Excellency, Owelle Okorocha could not have even thought of using such amount of money for decoration at this time let alone committing it. That is why the assertion by Ihedioha came as a surprise to the government and also revealed the awkward thought of an unrepentant critic seeking attention desperately. Such thought could only bred in a mind that would have committed such an amount in the project if given the opportunity. However, he may not be blamed out rightly because it is only natural that when a man sees another doing what he could not do, his imagination of what it takes to achieve that goes outside the scope of sound reasoning.

It is a known fact that the executive governor of Imo State has been an astute business man long before he ventured into politics. He knows his where about in anything he wants to do with minimal exoenses. As a man who is exposed and highly connected, he could get the job done in the highest quality and aesthetics yet at the cheapest price. It only takes a sincere man with sense of purpose not to inflate prices even when he knew that it could be justified in the eyes of all considering the size and quality of work done. Hon. Ihedioha simply told the world that if he was to embark on such work, which is obvious he lacks every capacity to do, he would have claimed over N600 million. Unfortunately for him and fortunately for the Imo people, Rochas is above such dishonesty and unpatriotism.

It is no longer news that Gov Okorocha is well known for his frugality and financial discipline. Gov. Okorocha redirected his Security Vote to the development of Imo State and to the Free Education programme of the state when his colleagues still collect same. Glory be to God NECO statistics shows that Imo has moved from 17 to 77 in her examination from 2011 to 2015.

In his frugality as an administrator, Gov. Okorocha has so managed the state that he is achieving a lot with little state allocations. Recently too, he reduced the number of the state ministries from 22 to 13. Another display of wisdom and managerial skill. Most projects on the state are constructed through direct labour, another move that has saved money for the state.

The principal offence of Governor Rochas Okorocha is not Sharing The Money to elites he prefers pro masses policies that touch the poor, suffering, weak and less privileged ones in the state. This is the reason why no known politician that fed fat from our collective patrimony supported the Governor in 2011 and 2015 elections. The Governor is at home with the masses who he is more comfortable with.

It is important to state at this point that His Excellency’s interest is on giving the state the best at any time hence, his constant efforts to make Christmas celebration in Imo State memorable. This has made Imo a tourist destination during the Christmas season and beyond. Imo now has water fountains and a flyover near completion first in her history. It may also interest the ex-honourable member to know that the Christmas trees, flowers and lights are leftovers gathered from previous years being used currently just to ensure that Imo state glows more than other states during this yuletide season and save money for the state.

For the sake of emphasis, the Rescue Mission Government of His Excellency, Owelle Rochas Okorocha did not spend N600 million for decoration as speculated.

Ik Ogbonna, anipr
Special Assistant to the Imo State Governor on Information & Communications Technology, ICT.

nice epistle @ op bt pls I believe that every imolite deserves the right to know how much that was spent on such a project esp @ this time when workers are still yet to b paid for some months.