WORKERS TO OKOROCHA Sell Your Private Jets To Pay Our Salaries As Imo Assembly Gives Notice To Pass Law Privatizing Govt Establishments Civil Servants Vow To Fight On, List Breakdown Of Arrears LGA Staff Reject Half Pay, Govt Beef Up Security Against Fresh Strike

By Asuluka, Ihegwaram, Amakaulo Onyinyechi, Okey Alozie
The crisis rocking Imo State following the inability of the state government to pay workers salaries as at when due has again elicited war of words between the governor, Rochas Okorocha and the civil servants.
As a statement from the governor has accused the leaders of the organised labour of being tools in the hands of opposition elements, the workers have asked Okorocha to dispose his private jets and use the proceeds to pay them accumulated salary arrears.
Reacting on Tuesday’s renewed protest by aggrieved workers who stopped the State Assembly from observing plenary session, media aide to Okorocha, Sam Onwuemedo had in a statement suggested that the labour leaders were acting the script of opposition politicians in the state.
Against this backdrop, workers who were part of the protest that rocked Owerri two days ago asked the governor to reduce his ostentatious lifestyle to accommodate their welfare in the scheme of things. They workers who displayed placards to air their views, in an interview with our correspondent, noted that it was an irony that the governor cruises in and out of the state in cosy private jets while they languish in penury arising from nonpayment of salaries. The protesting workers joined by pensioners disclosed that it was unexpected of a governor who claims to be man of the masses and agent of change for a better Nigeria as encapsulated in the APC campaign mantra starve workers in his state.
According to the woman and a male colleague who carried the placard bearing ” Okorocha sell your Private jets to pay us” ” we want the whole world to hear our cries”, We want president Buhari to also hear us and compel the APC governor’s chairman who is owing us to pay our salaries. In the face of this hardship, we expect him to reduce frivolities and have pity on us by selling the capital intensive jets to pay us”
The labour leaders during the protest made public the names of government establishments and salary/pension arrears owed arrears with Adapalm, Imo Job centre and Imo Water Corporation worse hit with about eight months unpaid salary . While ministries are being owed three months arrears, ITC and the various pensioners groups have above 9 months arrears.
Unperturbed about the resistance offered by the workers, the government has gone ahead to promote the planned commercialization of some government agencies especially the parastatals in the state. Trumpeta saw in the Order Paper of the Imo State House of Assembly, a Bill for a Law to Provide Private Partnership. The incoming law which sparked off fresh hostilities between government and workers will indirectly sack employed government workers from government payroll if private partners take control of the establishments. The inclusion of the bill stunned observers who thronged the state legislature on Wednesday. It was among the Bills stated for mention in the plenary session of the House yesterday.
In a similar development, tension is building gradually at the LGAs as NULGE is backing its members to reject salary cheques showing deductions from their original pay. Confusion reigned as no worker was willing to collect the cheques from government pay officers who stormed the councils. Workers in agriculture and health departments had their pay packets reduced with those entitled to N80,000, getting N50,000 in the new arrangement while those of N75,000 reduced to N35,00
Meanwhile, Armed Security men are now at strategic places in Imo to reduced tension and anxiety in the State.
Our source revealed that Government resolved to maintain water tight security at special paces as part of proactive measure to stop the rampaging Imo workers protesting against Governor Rochas Okorocha, from destroying properties and threat to lives.
Our source hinted that fear of fresh workers protest and attacks have given the State Governor and his lieutenants a serious nightmare.
Our roving reporter who monitored things at the State Capital yesterday, revealed that more than 30 HILUX Security Vans fully loaded with armed police men are all over Owerri, as movement in Government House is now restricted.