.Imo governor swears in new accountant general, head of service, 11 new perm secs
By Valentine Amanze
The outgoing Imo State Governor, Owelle Rochas Okorocha, has said that he kept N42.5 billion for his successor, Chief Emeka Ihedioha, to start work immediately in the state.
He said that with the amount the incoming governor would not have any excuse for non-performance.
The governor made the disclosure while swearing-in 11 permanent secretaries including the new Accountant-General and Permanent Secretary, Deacon Donald Igbo, and the new Head of Service, Mrs. Ngozi Ama Eluma.
He explained that N8.1 billion of the money was meant for the payment of salaries and capital projects, while N5.2 billion was for pension arrears.
Okorocha also pointed out that N7.6 billion was for the renovation of schools, while N21.6 billion was for rural roads, totaling N42.5 billion.
Besides, the governor said that following petitions from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) chieftains, the Economic and Financial Crime Commission (EFCC) blocked the money for the payment of arrears of pension and others at the point of starting the payment.
While, addressing the new permanent secretaries, the governor advised them to reposition the civil service system, protect the integrity of the state and shun corruption.
According to him, workers in the state civil service should put in their best in the service of their fatherland.
His words: “Remember God in discharging your duties. Discharge your duties without fear or favour; and also defend your state when the need arises.
“I gave this state my best. I will do all I can to support the incoming government. Imo State government has kept aside a total of N4.5 billion for the in-coming government, and for that reason, I will set up a sub-committee to make sure that the projects they are attached to come to fruition even when I am out of office or when I will not be available because government is a continuum.
“The breakdown of these funds are as follows: N8.1 billion that came into Imo State coffers from both State and LG, from FAAC, that money has not been expended as not even one naira has been taken away from it and the money is in Zenith Bank and has not been touched. The second money is N5.2 billion in Access Bank, the remnant of the Paris Club fund, not one naira has been removed from it.
“The third fund is N7.6 billion, money that came from UBEC. Imo State has paid a total of N3.8b counterpart fund and UBEC has brought in their N3.8b. That gave us N7.6b. That money is intact and not one naira has been removed from it. The fourth fund is the RAMP fund of $60m, representing N21.6b and is also in Imo State Government’s account. It is with First Bank. The money is also here in Imo State and no one naira has been touched.
“If you total N8.1b plus N5.2b, N7.6b and N21.6b, you have a total of N42.6b which I will be handing over to the Emeka Ihedioha-led government as from the 29th of May, 2019. How are these money meant to be expended? I want to put it succinctly clear. The N8.1b from FAAC usually will cover the cost of salaries and capital projects. This government is expected to spend this N8.1b for the payment of salaries for May and also for the payment of other contractual obligations as may be deemed fit.”
The new Permanent Secretaries are; Mr. Donald .N. Igbo, Mrs. Edith Chioma Ekenze, Mr. Elias Amuche Anyanwu, Mr. Justus Oguoma, Rev. Reginald Oguike, Mr. Benjamin Nnamadu, Mrs. Patricia Atuechi Elebiri, Engr. George Ejiogu, Mrs. Patricia Uche Ezeonyeachi, Mrs. Ngozi Bernadine and Mrs. Meg. Obi.