By anthony anyanwu
The Senator representing Imo West (Orlu Zone) in the National Assembly, Chief Hope Uzodinma has come hard on the Imo State Governor, Owelle Rochas Okorocha by declaring that monies meant for the Subsidy Re-investment and Empowerment Programme, SURE-P program for the state has not been accounted for by the number one citizen in the state.
SURE-P is a welfare-oriented federal government program designed by the Goodluck Jonathan administration to not only empower its citizenry but also provide skills acquisition and job provision across the three-tiers of government. There is regular allocation from the Federal Allocation and Mobilisation Commission, FAAC, to mitigate the effect of the partial removal of subsidy on petroleum products.
Speaking when he commissioned NDDC project in Imo State, Senator Uzodinma revealed that not less than N5bn has been provided by the Federal Government to Imo State coffers for SURE-P purposes. The Federal lawmaker regretted that despite the huge amount provided for the interventionist program, there is no project in the state or local government level that has SURE-P insignia.
According to the Senator, the SURE-P money is paid to the state through State and LG allocations adding that Imo people are alien to such payments and effects of the program because the state governor allegedly abuses the process involved in the implementation of the SURE-P program at state and local government levels.
“Despite the amount being provided through LGA and state allocations to the Imo State government from the federal government for the SURE-P programs, nothing has been seen to justify FG’s commitment in that regard. The state government has cornered the money as you cannot see any project or initiatives tagged SURE-P unlike in non PDP governed states where the SURE-P projects are existent.
“I have done my best in this regard by ensuring that state and local government coordinators are appointed. What is remaining are ward coordinators”, Uzodinma added.
The Senator used the opportunity to commission a ring road and water projects built by the Niger Delta Development Commission, NDDC for Obokofia and Opuoma communities
