This may not be best of times for Imo State Governor, Senator Hope Uzodinma, as members of the State House of Assembly are pushing for the release of Constituency funds.
While the Governor is said to be battling with the insecurity challenges rocking the State, he is to face the law making body, unless their request are granted.
If what this newspaper gathered concerning the disaffection that is currently brewing among members of the house and the State Executive is anything to go by, then, there is every reason to worry.
However, the body language of the members could be said to depict war, as they call on the Chief Executive to do the needful for the welfare of their constituencies before end of their tenure.
It was reliably gathered that part of the reasons for no massive constituency projects across the twenty-seven LGAs of Imo is the inability of the State Government to fund for constituency projects of the lawmakers.
It was gathered from the lawmakers that they do not want to be living like appendage of the Executive, while they were duly elected by a people.
The Lawmakers fumed that as elected persons, they have some constitutional rights to embark on constituency projects.
“Almost all of us borrowed money from banks. Before the so called allowances could enter, banks would have already debited us. In fact, under this administration, we are debtors. Even market women out there cannot beat us when it comes to seeking for loans. This is because we are not paid what is due to us and as at when due”, one of the lawmakers lamented.
“When the governor came in, he reduced our emoluments, automatically removed some till date. As if that was not enough, pay us monthly and promptly, it becomes an issue. This is unbelievable”, he added.
Meanwhile, the lawmakers while exonerating themselves as to why they haven’t embarked on constituency projects said pointed accusing fingers at the governor for being behind their ordeal.
“How can we do constituency projects when the governor doesn’t give us the revenue to do so. Everything lies within the governor. If he release money for constituency projects, I believe a serious Lawmaker would do so”.
