Anthony Anyanwu
Palpable fear has griped indigenes and residents of the Niger Delta region of Ohaji/Egbema and Oguta Local Governments of Imo State over the position of the N400 million released by the Federal Government for flood victims in the state.
This is coming at the wake of alleged nonchalant attitude of the APGA led government in the state over the plight of the flood victims who are now refugees in other neighbouring communities.
Worried over all these developments, tongues have already started wagging on whether the federal government largesse has been received by the state government and again whether the state is prepared to argument the fund.
Answering questions from reporters in the matter, the immediate past Speaker of Imo State House of Assembly Rt Honourable Goodluck Nanna Opiah expressed regret over the attitude of the state government on the matter.
He said that it is unfortunate that rather than come to the rescue of the victims, the Governor Owelle Rochas Okorocha only embarked on a snap visit to the affected areas which Opiah described as a “Jamboree” trip.
He insisted that he would ensure that the money reached to the affected victims for which the Federal government released the funds.
Opiah said that it beats his imagination that while the victims are still sojourning outside their homes as strangers, the APGA led Imo state government is behaving as if nothing really happened.
According to him, some other state governments where flood also took place had provided palliative measures for their citizens including refugee tents, food and other incidentals but Imo Government has done nothing for Imo flood victims till date.
Pointing out that it smacks of the level of unconcern the state government attaches to the welfare of its citizenry.
He made it clear that every kobo of the N400 million disaster funds will get to the victims as directed by the federal government even as he still expects the state government to come up with its own package.
Opiah used the opportunity to thank some PDP leaders like His Excellency Chief Ikedi Ohakim, Senator Hope Uzodinma, Hon Professor Mrs. Viola Onwuliri and Honourable Emeka Ihedioha for their show of love and concern to the victims with their relief packages.
