The Controversial Community Government Council (CGC) that has ignited tension in the hinterland in the state, has reared its ugly head again, as the battle for supremacy between Nigeria Automobile Technicians Association (NATA) and a splinter group, Motor Mechanic and Allied Technicians Association (MMATA) has reached a crescendo.
The bone of contention among the two group is the Nekede Mechanic Village which was recently elevated to a CGC status.
Last week, one of the splinter groups led by one Mr. Virginus Obi visited the Commissioner for CGC and Chieftaincy Affairs, Barr (Mrs) Ugochi Nnanna Okoro where they presented themselves as the authentic NATA executive that should constitute the CGC for Nekede Mechanic Village.
In what appears a fierce retaliation, NATA Executives came out smoking dismissing the group and describing it as an abrogated one.
In a release made available to Trumpeta, they stated that Virginus Obi group did not have the mandate to undertake such a courtesy visit.
Part of the statement reads “Consequently, much as we are not against a CGC status for Nekede Mechanic Village, we wish to state that the said group did not have our mandate to undertake such a courtesy visit or to present our needs to the government recognized body to do so. We wish to congratulate and fully associate ourselves with His Excellency, Owelle Rochas Okorocha, the Executive Governor of Imo State and the father of Community Government in Africa as well as the Hon. Commissioner for Community Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Lady Barr Ugochi Nnanna Okoro”.
The group, according to reports available to Trumpeta, visited the CGC Commissioner, Barr. Ugochi Nnna Okoro.
Contractors handling road projects in Imo state are in the news again the threatening for a showdown with the state government. The attitude of the contractors who are not comfortable with the attitude of the Special Committee set up by the state government on Joint State/Local Government Project Monitoring Committee almost led to crisis at the Imo State House of Assembly where they were invited to a briefing.
Trumpeta Correspondent learnt that after asking the invited contractors to write their names, that of their companies and the project they are handling, the Special Committee led by Stan Dara, Member representing Orsu State Assembly allegedly disappeared from the Assembly Complex leaving the bewildered confused.
A contractor who simply identified himself as Edwin told the newspaper that “we were invited to a meeting. When we came to the House, when we tried to inquire why the meeting was called the Committe asked us to write down our names and the projects we are handling. When we returned the members disappeared living us in the dark about the essence of the meeting”
The contractors who wore forlorn looks about their predicament occasioned by non payment of jobs executed lamented government indifferent approach to their plight adding that contrary to the Governor’s persistent promises nothing has been paid to them.
“While some of us are suffering several ailments arising from the non payment of the contracts so far executed, others have died in the process while many are languishing with poverty. We expected that Government would have settled our money than these mesmerizing moves from the project Committee” one of the frustrated Contractors added.
When contacted for reaction, Bro Dara confirmed that the contractors were invited to a meeting for the purposes of identifying genuine contractors handling projects for payment by the state government. “yes we invited them to come and write their names for them to go to the local government the are handling jobs to elect leaders who will liaise and interface with the local committee to enhance their payments”
