Unconfirmed reports has it that the present administration is plotting to sell or lease the structures of the state secretariat complex to a private operator have been eased.
Rumours has flittered the air that as part of the State Government commercialization policy, present Administration had concluded arrangements to give out the gigantic state complex to a private operator.
Attempt by the Government to sell the idea to the state work force and met stiff opposition and rejection as the Ministry staffers shouted “NO” in unison adding that its an abnormal act unprecedented in the history of any State in the Federation.
At the workers meeting with the Governor, Owelle Rochas Okorocha, had told the workers that each Ministry should look for a space to build a befitting complex and office blocks. Hardly did he finish his speech when deafening sounds of “NO and “NO” buoyed by murmuring from the workers filled the air forcing the Governor to pause.
When Okorocha requested from the workers if they are not comfortable with the policies the staffers responded “NO” Another question directed at the Permanent Secretaries and Directors was also negative, thereby ending the planned sale of the secretariat to private operators which would have displaced the workers.
Meanwhile the job of the Imo Water Development Agency (IWADA) and Imo Water Cooperation (IWC) staffers are on the line except the State Governor, Owelle Rochas Okorocha makes a voite face on his earlier threat.
Worried by non-productivity and lack-lustre performance on the part of two State Government parasatals involved in the supplying of portable water to the citizens of the State, Governor Rochas has threatened to sack workers in the affected establishments.
The Governor’s threats was made known during a meeting with aggrieved workers of Imo State Ministries, Agencies and parasatals last Friday at the Ahiajioku convention centre, New Owerri.
According to an enraged Governor who is not pleasant with the operation of IWADA and the Imo Water Cooperation, there have been several complainants concerning the performance of the affected parasatals adding that the little money released to them in the past was an act of mercy from the executive arm.
Earlier the worker of IWADA had protested over non-payment of their salaries as at when due, their non inclusion in the new salary package for Imo workers. The complainant irked the Governor to respond that their services are not sufficient to warrant being funded hence the threat to erase them from the state work force.
