By John Mgbe
In the first part of this viewpoint which appeared in the Nigeria Newspoint newspaper of August 13th, 2012 page 5, I expressed certain reservations about what I perceive to be the actions and inactions of the legislators in the Imo House of Assembly (IMHA), Owerri. This second and final part serves as a way of proffering solutions to the inadequacies highlighted in the first part. On issues of this nature, one should not be an arm chair critic; rather one should make recommendations on how to redress the perceived shortcomings. Those who merely criticize without recommending a way out are suffering from the virus of ‘Analysis Paralysis”. I wish to state from the outset that the question I asked with regard to the petition against the former ALGON Chairman,HON TONY BLACK NDUKA, has been satisfactorily resolved. The Honourable member who was in charge of the Panel which was set up to verify the authenticity of the allegation , Hon Okwara, called to explain details surrounding the investigation. In fact, he said that the investigation was concluded some months ago and the findings of his Committee were handed over to the House several months ago. He invited me to come to the House to verify the details through the Clerk of House. Asked to make part of his report known, HON Okwara said it was improper for him to discuss a matter that was yet to be decided by the HOUSE. In the course of our discussion, I emphasized on the need for the House to introduce the use of Hansards in the House in order to make it possible for journalists in particular and interested members of the populace in general to keep a close tab on legislative proceedings and debates of the House. The Hansards should be readily available in the State and National libraries, Local Government Libraries and the constituency offices of the legislators and other related outposts. The Hansard is defined as an official verbatim report of what is said and done in the House. It could be described as a sort of journal which shows details of how the legislators voted on the various issues, together with their contributions in legislative proceedings. The Hansard which was originated in Britain by a Mr Hansard in the 19th century has been found to provide invaluable guide to interested members of the electorate who are desirous of holding their legislators to account. It is my recommendation that the Clerk of House and related officials of the House should be sent on a capacity building and value-added courses to Britain and the United States to enable them to introduce Hansard Reporting in IMHA. Experts on such issues may also be contracted to guide the Clerk of House and his team on modalities (i.e. logistics) for running an effective legislature. If Hansards are accessible in the libraries, the Government Printer and the constituency offices of the legislators, one can very easily verify any information without going to the Clerk of House. It is deplorable that all the efforts which I made to conscientize the last House on the need to introduce Hansard reporting fell on deaf ears. However, details of the N230m ALGON money which was allegedly stolen could be read on page 1 of Weekend Nigeria Horn of September23-25, 2011.While we await the final decision of the House on the Hon Okwara Committee REPORT,I wish to state that the HON Member representing Nkwerre State Constituency has played well his part on this issue. Contrary to reports elsewhere, he did not sweep the matter under the carpet. Having submitted his report to the House, it is now left for the leadership of the House to kill the report or take action on it. We are keeping a close tab on this issue. However, those who are still interested can call on the Clerk of House to take a look at the records
Payment of counterpart funds by communities: There is uneasy calm among the populace as a result of what some people describe as payment of counterpart funds by the various autonomous communities. They want to know the justification for asking communities to pay some huge amount (about N250000) as a counterpart fund before they can benefit from government financial intervention in their communities. In a democracy, the only compulsory levy is the tax which all taxable adults must pay. In a State where there is grinding poverty, it may be a herculean task for most communities to raise such huge counterpart funds (or whatever it is called) which will qualify them to benefit from financial intervention from the government. This burden may engender acrimony and recriminations in some communities. There is also a risk that the few wealthy ones who may bankroll such levies may see themselves as Lords of the Manor while the rest people are seen as serfs in a serfdom. The Social Contract-the covenant between the rulers and the ruled- does not envisage that the masses should be subjected to such backbreaking financial commitments by the rulers. It is hoped that the House will take a critical study of this system of funding the communities in order to engender peace and harmony in the communities. There is grinding poverty in the land and government must eschew the urge to embark on double taxation. If our legislators screen it and allow it, so be it .They are our representatives and we depend on them to guard against the enacting of unjust laws.
Goodluck OPIA’s Probe Panel: The former Speaker, Good Luck Opia, set up a panel to probe Governor Ikedi Ohakim in order to verify the allegations of financial misconduct and embezzlement of public fund. The panel was charged with the task of investigating the alleged spending of N1.2b on the reception to celebrate the defection of Chief Ikedi Ohakim to the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) on July 25th, 2009. Furthermore, the probe panel was to verify the allegation that the then governor, Chief Ikedi Ohakim, spent N1b as transport expenses on the northern emirs who visited IMO State for a two-day picnic. Again, the probe panel was to investigate the huge amount of N2.5b spent in rehabilitating the Okigwe Water Scheme- a scheme which the Okigwe people describe as a fraud. Above all, the panel was to verify the allegations of financial improprieties and fraudulent acquisition of a hotel in South Africa and, mansions and other property in foreign countries by Chief Ikedi Ohakim. The list is not exhaustive. Citizen Samuelson Iwuoha wrote a petition to the panel pleading to be invited to testify before the panel. According to Samuel Iwuoha,he had all the evidence needed to prove that the then governor looted the Imo State treasury. He said that he would also give the addresses of the mansions and hotels of the former governor in foreign countries. Long before that probe panel was set up, Samuelson Iwuoha had petitioned the House to set up a probe panel to enable him prove his several statements that the then governor was corrupt. Surprisingly, instead of inviting Samuelson Iwuoha to testify before it, the panel issued orders to Chief Orji Uzor Kalu, former governor of Abia State and MR Maximus Uba to appear before the panel and prove their allegations that Chief Ohakim was corrupt. Both Chief Orji Uzor Uzor KALU and Mr Maximus Uba failed to appear before the panel. It is pertinent to remind the reader that Maximus Uba has since died in a motor accident in Abuja. May the soul of my friend, Maximus Uba ,find eternal bliss.
Rather than invite Samuel Iwuoha to appear before the panel and testify, the Panel adjourned indefinitely (sine die) when Chief Orji Uzor Kalu and the late Maximus Uba failed to show up to give evidence against Chief Ohakim. Since Samuelson Iwuoha who has all the information to prove that some of the political leaders at the time looted the State treasury is now an aide to the Speaker,IMHA, why is Hon. Uwajumogu- led House unable to reopen the hearing and allow Hon. Samuelson Iwuoha to tell his story? In fact, in the WhitePaper Newspaper on Wednesday, August 15 – 16, 2012, Dr. Tony Oha took a whole page 9 to rain aspersions on Samuelsson Iwuoha. Dr. Oha is annoyed that Samuelson Iwuoha has disappointed Ndi-Imo for his silence over the poor performance of the State Assembly. But as I said in the first part of this report, Samuelson is a mere aide to the Speaker. He cannot contribute to House debates or sponsor motion or bills. So, Dr. Oha and others who point fingers on Samuelson Iwuoha would have taken this into consideration in their criticism of Samuelson Iwuoha. However, Dr Oha is a clear-headed writer whose effort to bring the topic to the front burner should be commended. So, the bottom-line of this thesis is that the Probe Panel which was chaired by HON Sam Anyanwu should be reconstituted and Samuel Iwuoha should then proceed to give evidence on all he knows about the alleged looting of Imo State funds in Ohakim’s Administration. Anything short of this tantamount to a betrayal of confidence on the part of the legislators. It means that the reason for recruiting Samuelson to serve as Senior Special Assistant (Media)to the Speaker is to gag him and keep certain information beyond the reach of Ndimo. This could be seen as a political 419. So, let the probe panel be reopened now and Samuelson and others allowed to say all they know about the locust years. But if the Rescue Imo Administration cannot prove its incessant allegations of looting of the treasury by the PDP, it should then extend an unreserved apology to Chief Ohakim and his Party men. Very often the media space is inundated with screaming banner headlines of huge looted funds allegedly recovered from the immediate past Administration of Governor Ohakim; yet not even one member of that Administration has been dragged to the anti-graft agencies(EFCC/ICPC) a year into the Rescue Imo Administration. The only way to prove the veracity of these claims is to hand over the perceived looters to the authorities for investigation and prosecution. Anything short of this is a political grandstanding which should not be encouraged because it’s an ill wind that blows no one any good. If the probe panel is reconstituted and Samuelson Iwuoha and the Rescue Imo Administration fail to testify and prove the case of embezzlement of funds ,we can then begin to apportion blame on Samuelson Iwuoha and the others including the Administation.Until that panel is resurrected ,it is unfair to attack Samuelson Ikenna as having betrayed the masses. So, the media attacks on Samuelson Ikenna which were published in the White Paper Newspaper of page 9 of August 15-16 and August 22-23,2012 are unfair since he is neither a legislator nor can he sponsor bills/motions in legislative proceedings. Any member of APGA in the House can sponsor a motion demanding the reinstatement of that Probe Committee. In normal climes, the Chairman of that committee, Chief Sam Anyanwu, would have asked the House to allow him to continue the work of the Committee. But because of the shabby level of politics in our country, he is not likely to do so because our politicians owe their loyalty to their stomachs and bank accounts and not to the state. Chief Sam Anyanwu who represents Ikeduru State Constituency is a member of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).Above all, did the Chairman of Board of Trustees of PDP and two time president of Nigeria not announce to a global audience a few weeks ago that our lawmakers in the states and national Assemblies are “rogues and armed robbers”. In spite of real and perceived shortcomings, I have severally described Chief Olusegun Obasanjo as the only statesman standing.
Dr. Victor Mere Panel: There was a panel set up to investigate the income and expenditure of the 27 Local Government Areas between August 2010 and May 2011. The interim report of the Adhoc Panel reveals that the sum of N146M was withheld by the Joint Allocation Account Committee (JAAC) from the Federation account. May we know how this puzzle was resolved? Has the final report been submitted? Hon. Victor Mere who represents Owerri Municipality should please help us to know if this matter has been resolved.
Hon Donatus Ozoemena Probe Committee: Again a 10-member committee of the House was set up to probe the non-receipt of N105b as payment to contractors for road construction during the Ohakim regime. The chairman of the committee, Pharmacist Donatus Ozoemena, who also doubles as Deputy Speaker assured Ndimo that he would do a thorough work. As I write, I am not aware of the findings of that Committee on this issue. Has the final report been submitted? Can the final report be sourced in the State library or anywhere outside the legislative complex? The need for Hansards cannot be overstressed.
THE CERTIFICATE FRAUD: A member of the House is alleged to possess a fake West African School Certificate (WASC). Why is the matter swept under the carpet? When a similar case was reported in the House of Representatives in 1999, the affected legislator, Salisu Ibrahim, was promptly sacked. The same was the fate of Senator Evan Enwerem who was impeached in the long run. Why are we treating such critical issues in a cavalier and perfunctory manner? Information from the grape vine states that this very legislator who is accused of carrying a Tokunbo WASC is building a modern hotel complex in the World Bank Area of Imo state. The APGA which has been accusing the PDP members of tampering and embezzling state funds must ensure that their own party members are above board. We are watching with interest. Those who live in glass houses do not engage in stone throwing, lest the whole edifice will crumble like a house of cards.However, there is a need to advise against the incessant raising of eyebrows whenever a politician is building a mansion, hotel and the like .Most of them were successful businessmen before they joined partisan politics. However, the Legislature should keep a close tab on their members’ activities in order to guard against any illegitimate enrichment or abuse of oversight functions.
THE ROMIXGATE CONTACT SCAM: During the regime of Achike Udenwa, Imo State lost about N5bn in the 4km per road Local Government Contract. Nobody has been able to point at the roads constructed with the huge amount. Research shows that the company belongs to Doyin Okupe, the newly appointed media aide to President Jonathan. Records show that Doyin Okupe’s company also won contracts for roads in Benue State but such contracts were abandoned in the same way the 4km roads contract in Imo State was abandoned. Today, the Benue people are insisting that Doyin Okupe must not be appointed an aide to the President on the grounds that he abandoned his contracts to build roads in Benue State. They are insisting that Dr Okupe should be dragged to the ICPC for investigation and prosecution. The All Congress of Nigeria (ACN) has joined the Benue people in asking that Okupe should be handed over to the appropriate authorities and prosecuted. Dr. Doyin Okupe is the selfsame Okupe whose company, Romix Soil Gate won the contract for the construction of 4-km roads in Imo State. As stated above, the contract was not executed and Imo State lost about N5b. Why are the Executive and legislative arms of government in Imo State keeping silent over the RomixGate contract scam? Now that the self same Dr. Okupe has surfaced as President Jonathan’s Spokesperson on Public Matters, can our legislators summon him to the House to explain his involvement in the abandoned 4 km Road scam in Imo State-a scam which Imo State lost about N5b? Is it only when the financial scam affects Chief Ikedi Ohakim that our leaders will raise eyebrows? Both the Executive and Legislative arms of government in Imo State are aiding and abetting corruption by their inability to drag perceived corrupt and fraudulent politicians to EFCC and ICPC.
N16 Billion on Imo Roads: A few days ago, the government said it had spent N16b on roads since it was inaugurated on May 29th 2011. Are the legislators satisfied with this revelation? A cross section of Imo people are not happy because in their opinion what they have seen so far does not add up to N16bn. They feel shortchanged and betrayed. Above all, a cross section of people interviewed held the opinion that the roads are of very poor quality as they may not stand the test of time. In fact, even now some of these roads are already crumbling just after the first rainy season. I think the worst embarrassment that can confront any state governor is to see roads constructed by the Administration collapse and crumble while the same governor is in power. That appears to have happened on some of the roads constructed in this Administration. We have also heard that some contractors simply mobilize themselves and start working on roads even when there has not been any formal contract agreement with the government. This is quite scary. In fact, the Speaker confirmed this during a phone-in radio programme to mark the first anniversary of the legislature. I was totally shocked and uncomfortable at this revelation. Can the House intervene in order to expunge this disorderly manner of handling contract awards?
On a related note, it is my opinion that a government that is handling such large volume of construction and civil engineering works should have a qualified civil engineer as Commissioner for Works. A situation where the Commissioner for Works in Imo State is not an engineer is unacceptable. No matter how hard working the Deputy Governor/Commissioner for Works is, he will never ever be able to play the role of a civil engineer. In the same vein, a civil engineer will never be as good as the Deputy Governor when it comes to the Deputy Governor’s own profession. A court clerk will never be a lawyer no matter how intelligent he is on the law. So, the summary of the message here is that there is no substitute to a round peg in a round hole. Although Chief Jude Agbaso has been very resourceful and dedicated, I humbly appeal that we need a qualified Engineer as Commissioner for works. An ideal Commissioner for Works should be able to design and read engineering drawings and make intelligent input in brainstorming sessions on Engineering topics. In fact, the Deputy Governor who speaks impeccable and flawless Owerri dialect will be wonderful as Commissioner for Local Government or Commissioner for the newly created Community Government Council (CGC). I want to say that the Deputy Governor has surpassed the expectations of most people. He is an asset to this Administration but his Services could be put to maximal and optimal benefit in either the Ministry of Local Government or the Ministry of Community Government Council (CGC). In fact, the Ministry of Local Government used to be under the Deputy Governor’s Office until political expediencies caused Chief Achike Udenwa to make it a separate ministry in order to create work for the party chieftains. A government that can handle road contracts worth N16bn within a fiscal year should not only have a qualified civil engineer as Commissioner for Works but also should have a state tender’s board. Does one exist?
Commercialization of Imo Hospitals: We have heard that the Administration is privatizing or concessioning all its 11 Specialist and general hospitals in Imo State to an Islamic Group. The story which, at first, sounded like a hoax appears to have some elements of facts. The details are still hazy but I can only add that most people are unable to understand the rationality for any government to ever think of privatizing or commercializing its hospitals to private investors, more so, to an organization that is headed by a Boko Haram investor. On the other hand, every right thinking Igbo person knows that the British Government has a congenital and pathological hatred for the Igbo nation. I make this observation because we are told that the Chief Executive and Chairman of the company is one Dr. Ibrahim who is a Muslim of Kaduna State extraction. We are also told that the consortium named “LANTECH SOLUTIONS LTD” is based in Britain. Where do our legislators stand on this controversial policy of government? If it becomes necessary that our hospitals should be privatized, let us look in the direction of the countries that were friendly to the Igbo nation during the Nigerian Civil War. This unfolding drama appears to be a new face of Imperialism which some analysts say is neo-colonialism.
Permanent site of IMSU: The policy somersault of relocating IMSU permanent site from Ogboko (the governor’s village) to Owerri zone has come to many with mixed feelings. Before this sudden policy somersault, the Government had committed over N1b on the building of permanent structures in Ogboko site. Ordinarily, one would have expected that Ogboko site would now be the Orlu Campus of IMSU. But what we hear is that a European University will take over the Ogboko Campus. Is IMSU no longer a multi campus university? Will the European University offer free education as IMSU? Who are the promoters of the European University? What did the owners of the land have in mind when they donated land for the project?Our legislators should help clarify this controversial and vexatious issue. Is the Uwajumogu- led House part of the policy of ceding Ogboko to a foreign university?
IMSU leadership crisis: IMO State University has been operating with an acting Vice Chancellor for about three years. I am not aware of any other university in Nigeria that has such a terrible record. The problem started in 2009 when the then Vice Chancellor, Professor Innocent Chuka Okonkwo, was unjustly sacked by the then governor, Chief Ikedi Ohakim, on the grounds of trumped up charges by a Kangaroo Visitation Panel. The Visitation Panel was set up for the sole purpose of sacking Professor Okonkwo because he hails from Orlu zone ,and above all, even comes from the same village, Amaifeke,with Chief Achike Udenwa, the former State governor, who at that time, had become Ikedi Ohakim’s worst enemy. Professor Innocent Okonkwo was a victim of transferred aggression. Dissatisfied with the injustice meted out to him, Professor Okonkwo dragged the Ohakim’s Administration to court. Delivering Judgment in the suit, Justice Nonye Okoronkwo discharged and acquitted him on all counts and issued a consequential order that Professor Okonkwo should be reinstated as a Professor/staff of IMSU and all his entitlements should be paid in arrears When Governor Okorocha was inaugurated governor, most people felt that the injustice would be remedied, more so, since the government was a Rescue Imo Government. But fifteen months into his tenure, IMSU is still operating with an acting Vice Chancellor and the Administration remains indifferent over the injustice meted out to Professor Okonkwo.There is something intrinsically wrong in a situation where an Administration that is operating a free education scheme at all levels cannot resolve minor internal crisis in its State University. A few days ago, a youth group in Okigwe called on the government to recall Professor Okonkwo to serve out his tenure as Vice Chancellor.Most people are pointing fingers at the Secretary to the State Government, Professor, Anthony Anwuka, as the person that is behind the stalemate in IMSU. Although Professor Okonkwo is asking the Court of Appeal, Owerri to reinstate him as Vice Chancellor of IMSU, Professor Anthony Anwuka who is also the Secretary to the Government of Imo State(SGI), recently granted an interview to the Sunday SUN newspaper. In that interview, he was very vehement in saying that Professor Okonkwo would not be reinstated as Vice Chancellor of IMSU.This is a classic case of sub judice by a professor who ought to know that, ceteris paribus, people in his position should not be discussing matters in court. This statement which borders on contempt of court confirms that Professor Anthony Anwuka is a stumbling block to the return of peace in IMSU. Yet, in spite of his position as SGI, he is unable to win elections for his APGA party in Oguta-his Local Government. On another occasion, Governor Okorocha recognized Barrister Reuben Okoro as the leader of Orluzurumee Group. A few days after that endorsement, Professor Anwuka said that Barrister Okoro cannot be the leader of Orluzurumee Group. This is just one of the reasons for the hostile press on the governor.
Is Chief Ikedi Ohakim still responsible for the inability of Governor Okorocha to reinstate Professor Okonkwo, even at a time when some youths in Okigwe are saying that they do not mind if Professor Okonkwo is reinstated? While this injustice goes on, nothing is heard from the Barrister Reuben Okoro-led Orluzurumee Group. The Precious Nwadike-led youth wing of Orluzurumee Group should be commended for its recent press release on this issue.In Deceber, 2011, Governor Okorocha empanelled the Governing Council of IMO State University and appointed Chief Arthur Eze as the PRO-Chancellor. But eight months after the Governing Council Board was constituted, it is yet to be formally inaugurated.IMSU has been running without a Governing Council for about a year and no substantive Vice Chancellor for about four years. This is an aberration. In spite of these abnormalities, the Commissioner for Education, the House Committee on Education, and the Secretary to the State Government, see nothing, hear nothing and say nothing. Governor Okorocha’s Government is a one man riot squad; what he forgets to do is left undone because most of those who work with him are just not interested or whatever. Even our senator representing Owerri zone who we all voted for yesterday has abandoned the Governor who used to do road shows with her on KEKE motor bikes during the days of electioneering. We have heard a lot about the building of five star hotels for each of the senatorial zones, 5- star roads and 5-star hospitals and other 5-star projects which are in the pipeline.Good.But why have we not heard anything about 5-Star public/school libraries. Free education is not just the absence of school fees; it also has other logistics such as 5-star libraries, 5-star school laboratories, 5-star Information and Communication Technology parks and even 5-star school buses to enable indigent students commute to and from their schools. What happened to the long school buses which were introduced by Chief Achike Udenwa and Ikedi Ohakim?
In conclusion, I wish to assure Hon. Ben Uwajumogu that it is in his interest to listen to what we say in our columns. He should not be deceived into believing that we are his enemies. No, we are interested in his good success as Speaker in the long run. With over two years to serve as Speaker, Ben Uwajumogu and his colleagues can still become the comeback kid who will earn our applause and ovation in future reviews. As journalists, we belong to a profession where facts are sacred and comments free. We criticize out of love and not out of hate or vendetta. Writing in praise of the Speaker or the legislators will earn us huge money from the House, but our conscience will not be at peace. I wish to assure the Speaker of the House, Chief Ben Uwajumogu, that our reviews/ viewpoints are not actuated by malice; rather it’s in keeping with the statutory duty of the Fourth Estate (The Press) to hold political leaders to account. All we are saying is that the House should assert its authority and play its oversight functions of checkmating the actions and inactions of the other two arms of government (the Executive and the Judiciary).On the other hand, those two arms of government will also guard against any acts of impunity by the House. This is the only way we can nurture a strong democratic system that is anchored not just on the mere principles of economic growth but even more importantly on the basis of economic development. I wish to assure the Speaker, HON Uwajumogu, that in carrying out this oversight function of the watch dogs of society, we limit our search light on what he and his colleagues do as legislators. We are not interested in his private life and will never veer into his privacy or that of the other legislators. We limit our searchlight on issues that are of public interest. We are all partners in the struggle to rescue Imo State from the stranglehold of the decadent past and we are destined to act our role in a manner that will edify professional ethics and give glory to the Supreme Immanent Triune God who gives us wisdom and the knowledge to be fair to all manner of people.
Some commentators who go out to praise you or even maintain a conspiracy of silence do not mean well for you. It’s this culture of praise singing and conspiracy of silence that catalyzed the downfall of the principal officers in the legislative and executive arms of the immediate past Administration. Since the downfall of those politicians, the praise singers have vanished and they have moved their ubiquitous orchestra to the Legislature and Douglas House for another round of praise singing. The inescapable truth is that for now majority of the populace are not satisfied with the performance of the IMHA. The people are asking so many questions with no cogent and convincing answers. They want to know why the whole issue of the Community Government Council (CGC) is a shifting goal post. They ask whether the members of the CGC will be elected or appointed. Now that the Law establishing the CGC has been passed, I suggest that copies of the Law should be forwarded to the State and National libraries from where interested members can have access to the document. This will enable people to discuss the Law from an informed mind. Honourable members should have copies of the Law on CGC and Hansards in their constituency offices so that their constituents can walk across and pore through the documents. In fact, there are others who feel that the CGC is an aberration which the House should have nipped in the bud. Did anybody do the cost benefit analysis before giving a nod to the CGC?it’s like a duplication of resources since the budget which would have been used to pay the Local Government is now duplicated and this is capable of causing a hemorrhage in the balance sheet of the government.
JOHN MGBE writes from Owerri.
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