Members of the Community Government Council, (CGC) in Imo State yesterday, went home disappointed when Governor Rochas Okorocha openly informed them that they are not entitled to any monthly salary.
Okorocha made this known during an interactive session with a cross section of the CGC members at Ahiajoku Centre, Owerri. Okorocha had told the disturbed members that in view of their complaints of non-payment of salaries, they are not entitled to salaries except the executive secretaries who are civil servants in charge of the various autonomous communities.
According to the State Governor, the CGC members would only be entitled to an allowance of N5,000 which they are entitled to after each meeting. Okorocha’s statements did not go down well with most of the enthusiastic CGC members who were optimistic that after several months of no good news, yesterday’s meeting will bring good tidings.
In the same vein, the Governor mandated the CGC members to oversee contractors handling projects in their respective communities. Adding that he has mobilized N20bn to pay all outstanding debts to contractors as only those with the approval of CGC members will be entitled to payment.
He further disclosed the new N5million project channeled on piggery management, fishery, cultivation of cassava and other agricultural process, stressing that the reason for that programme is to wipe away poverty in the surface of the state and Imolites. Okorocha also enumerated that the proposed site is located behind ICAPS, Egbu road and of 30 hectares of land. However, he enjoined every community to venture into same which starts in earnest, to be kicked-off by one day training by women leaders.
Reacting, some CGC members lamented their ordeals following the non payment system of Governor Okorocha. An aggrieved woman leader from Ezinihitte Mbaise, Mrs Augustina stated that for the past months, she has spent all her personal savings in the 4th tier government apparently N300,000 without any salary or remuneration. Adding, the Secretary of Ezi-Isu autonomous community expressed his ills following the development and called on Governor Okorocha to redress his speeches and stands on the matter as N5,000 allowance according to him is nothing but a peanut.
Governor Okorocha also mandated the 27 Sole Administrators to dispatch the writing materials provided for schools as soon as possible as students are already in session, and ordered the women leaders to give account to the Government on the dispatch matters.
