By Asoluka Iheagwaram
and Okey Alozie
Aggrieved Civil Servants in Imo State may have cause to smile again as cash flow into the State seems to have increased if reports reaching Trumpeta are anything to go by.
Following unconfirmed reports that the bail-out money due to Imo State from the federation Account, President Buhari granted the state may have been held by banks Imo State is indebted to, government of Imo can now heave sigh of relief as the central Bank of Nigeria has given approval to the request by Deposit Money Bank, DMO, to provide funds to State Governments to enable them pay the back log of salaries to their workers.
It would be recalled that Rivers and Abia State confirmed receipt of bail-out from the FG, but Imo State Government denied thereby fuelling speculations that the State’s own share could be among those held back by banks as disclosed by Governor’s forum chairman, Abdulaziz Yari of Kebbi State.
The Apex bank in a statement made available to newsmen and signed by the corporate communications, CBN, Mr Muazu Ibrahim said the approval was based on the CBN’s decision to collaborate with relevant stakeholders to consider ways of liquidating the outstanding staff salaries owed by States and Local Governments.
According to the Director- General of (DMO) Dr Abraham Nwankwo on Imo State Govt is indebted to commercial banks to the tune of N37.1billion.
With this development, the hiccups experienced by the workers will be a thing of the past.
Imo Governor Owelle Rochas may soon end his face off with Imo Workers, as he is expected to release a jumbo package to them
Trumpeta gathered that the unpaid salaries of workers and the crisis that is surrounding it placed the State Government on a bad image warranting demonstrations by different groups.
Against this backdrop the Governor stepped out to look for help as CBN has rescued the situation and the bailout fund is now released to Imo consequently Okorocha is set to give Jumbo package to workers in order to put smile on their faces and shame the opposition group.
