Dumb Imo Lawmakers
Sixteen months after all legislative exercises in the Imo State House of Assembly began some distinguished Honourable members of the House have had their mouths sealed as they do not to engage in verbal comments during contributions and debates of the House plenary session. While some members like the Cicero of the House, Hon Simeon Iwunze, ranking lawmakers Honourable Ikenna Emeh and Stan Dara newcomers Acho Ihim, Ugonna Ozirigbo (OZB) et al, continue to dominate the pace of contributions on motions, bills and ad hoc committee reports, some members may have just come to view the hallowed chamber of the house bequeathed Imo people by Sam Mbakwe administration. There is no need mentioning their names to avoid a recall process from their constituents but POPULAR SIDE which monitors Imo, Assembly operations can reveal the few of the members have not only failed to move a motion but also has no bill to their credit. The affected members are well known. POPULAR SIDE will give them little time to adjust or they will be exposed. I hope they are not afraid to vomit grammatical errors which have dominated House proceedings in the recent times.
THE RESCUE MISSION FREE KEROSENE TANKERS
At the birth of the present administration called Rescue Mission which is toiling to make Imo Better, one of the first steps used to get the support and sympathy of the masses in the Imo State was the unveiling of tanker lorries that distributed kerosene free-of-charge and at affordable rates to Imolites. POPULAR SIDE remembered that the state Governor Owelle Rochas Okorocha officially declared the intention at the Dan Anyiam where the state chief executive personally dispensed and supervised the conduct of the exercise. The state government sustained the Rescue kerosene agenda for a while before nobody heard about it again. But what worries POPULAR SIDE is that the state government purchased some tankers for that purpose and painted it Rescue Mission Free kerosene program. Initially, the tankers were parked at the Government House premises near the old Multi-purpose hall. But with the office of the Secretary to the State Government moving to Ikemba Ojukwu square, Concorde Road, New Owerri, the vehicles also moved to the place. The tankers have been parked for a very long time maybe waiting for God knows before another free kerosene exercise commences. It is not part of waste mechanism in government for a tanker to be purchased and under utilized. Well POPULAR SIDE is asking if the tankers cannot be privatized than lie waste as the present government encourages private sector to take over government businesses.
SPEAKER UWAJIMOGU JOINS LEAGUE OF HOTEL ONWERS IN OWERRI
He may be a politician but the Speaker of the Imo State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon Benjamin Uwajimogu has not abandoned his favourite money-making venture, hotel business. Within a year of relocating from his Umuahia base where he owns a flourishing hotel named Eastern Comfort, to Owerri, the suave and kind-hearted member representing Ihitte/Uboma State Constituency has added another feather to his cap with the establishment of a guest house in New Owerri. The hotel located at the back of Concord Hotel is a 13-room guest house which the amiable politician renovated to give a facelift. It might not be necessary to reveal the identity of the guest house but the name is similar to a music genre familiar to the older generation. The guest house is spectacular with modern trappings. One of the relations is reported to be in charge and Uwajumogu fondly called Odokaraomee goes to the place to survey operations. By this single action, the Imo Speaker has joined hordes of present lawmakers in Imo House involved in the most flourishing business in the state. Others said to be in that rank are Simon Iwunze of Dreamland Hotel, Ugonna Ozuruigbo, Kelvic Suites and others whose structures are at finishing state both within and outside the state.
EX-CHIEF OF STAFF, EMMA OHAKIM GETS BANKERS AWARD
The executive hall of the Federal Palace Hotel, Victoria Island, Lagos was full to the brim last weekend when the immediate past Chief of Staff to the Imo State Governor, Emma Ohakim received the Fellow of Chattered Institute of Bankers, (FCIB) by the President and Council of the Chattered Institute of Bankers of Nigeria. Notable dignitaries graced the occasion which almost turned a political rally for like minds in the political arena. Among those who witnessed the occasion for the sake of the younger brother of the former Governor of Imo state, Chief Ikedi Ohakim are foremost industrialist, Gabriel Onosode, Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN, Deputy Governors, former Imo State commissioners, Kezie Ogaziechi, George Irechukwu and numerous former commissioners, former political appointees during Ohakim era including the immediate past Director of Protocol, DOP, Sir Richard Onuoha. There was enough to eat and drink as Sir Oahkim played a good host to friends and well wishers.
POLICEMEN IN IM
O RESUME “ROGER”
From all indications, the order that road blocks be dismantled across the nation by the Inspector General of Police, MD Abubakar seems not to be effective again in Imo state, especially in Owerri, the State Capital where men in police uniform have resumed their extortion game on the streets and roads in Owerri. Few months after police disappeared from the road blocks and maintained motorized patrol on the streets, the men are back again and motorists are wailing. Yes, it could be said that the rising crime incidents especially kidnapping may have forced the policemen to change tactics. But POPULAR SIDE notices that an element of unprofessional conduct has been added to the exercise. On many occasions, the policemen allegedly extort money from road users in full glare of the public. POPULAR SIDE may not make public the name of the affected policemen and their vehicle numbers but in subsequent editions any of the policemen caught taken Egunje will be showcased. Instead of going after rampaging criminals who are tormenting residents of the state, the policemen are more concerned about mere traffic offences by drivers. Instead of given suspected vehicles and occupants thorough search, the policemen go after petty issues meant to extort money from a car user. In one of the unsavoury cases, a man was seriously handled by an inspector, (name and patrol team number withheld) for driving in opposite direction. The place is New Owerri opposite the Green Belt Hotel. The bad road forced motorists to use one-way. The police Inspector, a huge tall and dark man was in charge of the team when his men flagged down all the vehicles. The first vehicle a Camry car was allowed to use the one-way traffic while the victim of police brutally who was with his wife and new-born baby was the next. When the victim tried to protest that person he was held while the person with Camry was allowed to pass, rains of slap and beating followed to the extent the man collapsed. It took the intervention of an ISTMA official and a POPULAR SIDE advocate to calm the situation.
