By Onyekachi Eze
Members of the Imo State House of Assembly have finally smiled after staying for 2 months without receiving salaries and allowances.
The lawmakers heaved a great sigh of relief last week, when their phones beeped with bank alerts.
Contained in the alerts, Trumpeta gathered was their May and June arrears.
Other statutory persons on payroll of the State government, including the pensioners and civil servants also got alerts in similar manners.
It would be recalled that for the past months, it had been series of theatrical displays, ranging from one protest to another, all targeted at registering displeasure on non payment of salaries and pensions.
Trumpeta Newspaper gathered that after an indoor meeting with the governor, Senator Hope Uzodinma at the early hours of last week, part of their demands was met.
This has also doused all frayed nerves, especially among the legislators who once raised the alarm that if nothing was done promptly, they might turn to street beggars.
Some of the members who spoke to this Newspaper under strict anonymity said, “Finally, our May and June arrears have been paid. At least, let us offset the debts we incured individually within these period”.
Another representative who doesn’t want his name in print hilariously enthused, “Within the past two months coupled with the isolation, I have tried my best in hiding from my aides. To an extent, it became embarrassing when you can’t even afford an ordinary two thousand naira for yourself, talk more of dashing out. I can now feel comfortable interacting with them once again”.
