Trouble was averted and confusion ensued when the committee mandated by the Imo State Government to handle the N400m grant extended toImoStateas part of Federal Government’s intervention fund to ameliorate the sufferings of those affected by the flood visited Egbema in Ohaji/Egbema LGA.
It would be recalled that some Egbema and Oguta Communities were victims of the recent flood that ravaged some parts of the country. The natural disaster prompted President Goodlcuk Jonathan whose residence and area was submerged to announce the granting of millions to the affected states.
The N400m meant forImoStateseems to be creating bad blood between the affected communities and government as the last meeting between the two groups did not only end in a deadlock but also saw the committee members escape lynching in Egbema.
At a rescheduled meeting at the council headquarters Mmahu, Egbema, the presence of security agencies in the company of the committee members was what saved the impending skirmishes as the committee members hurriedly vacated the venue of the meeting to avoid mob attack from aggrieved flood victims.
When the government committee with some political figures of APGA descent comprising Chief Dr Goddy Obodo, former Commissioner, Alex Ogwazuo and SA Niger Delta, Nwanoro introduced their mission, the representatives of the affected victims reportedly rejected their plans and consequently demanded for their flood money from government.
The committee had intimated the people of their plans to give N5m each to the affected communities, and build a hall project. It went further to inform the victims that a N40m contract has been awarded from the FG’s N400m for fumigation purposes, adding that whatever remained would be utilized for projects in the two LGAs.
Governments position on how the money will be spent did not go down well with the Egbema people who reacted angrily and told the committee to inform the Governor, Owelle Rochas Okorocha and those in charge of affairs of the state to release the FG money to them.
Each of the community spokesmen vehemently rejected the plan and told the committee that they know what to do with the money better than the government proposal. The Community spokesmen stated that since the Governor claimed he has raised several millions for the flood victims, the money he raised should be used for the aforementioned projects instead of tampering with the FG N400m.
While warning the committee not to tamper with FG’s N400m by engaging in phantom contracts, the Egbema flood victims opined that any attempt by groups, individuals or government to embezzle or misappropriate the N400m through improper means will be resisted. At that moment, the tempo was charged and the youths who have been listening with rapt attention changed mood and became restive. They attempted to rush and attack the committee members but were stopped by security men. The changing scenario forced the committee members to end the interactive session and quickly bolted away.
The aggrieved persons went further to abuse the committee member and addressed them with unprintable names before they dispersed the council premises.
