Imo Govt denies owing parastatals , warns against abuse of lockdown relaxation

The Government of Imo State has said that no parastatal in the state that has conformed to government’s directives on modalities of payment of their salaries is being owed.

Rising from an Imo State Executive Council (EXCO) Meeting, Wednesday, May 6, 2020, the Honourable Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Declan Emelumba, who briefed newsmen on the observations and decisions reached during the meeting with Governor Hope Uzodimma, stated that some parastatals have refused to comply with government guidelines towards payment of their salaries by not submitting their Bank Verification Numbers (BVN) to Government to effect their payment.

Emelumba stressed that some parastatals like the Imo State University (IMSU) and Imo Broadcasting Corporation (IBC) have refused to comply with the directive just as the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) has discouraged its members from doing same.

The Commissioner said the governor emphasized that fund for their payment is ready and only awaiting compliance from the institutions.

Emelumba also informed that Governor Uzodimma at the meeting warned against the abuse of easing the lockdown by Imolites, noting that the idea was only meant for people to move around and get essentials for a little while. He added that the Governor threatened to impose a total lockdown should it be observed that the abuse is deliberate.

According to him, the EXCO also approved the renovation of the old Governor’s Lodge, remodeling of the new one and re-roofing of the 10 blocks of Secretariat Complex at Port Harcourt Road for durability purposes, especially as the rainy season is here again,

The Information Commissioner noted that the meeting heralded great encomia for Governor Uzodimma’s 100 days in office and the achievements recorded during the period, including filling of all potholes within the Owerri metropolis and completion of new roads like the one on St. Thomas Moore that are ready for commissioning.