Rescue Mission” is a common word to identify the Government of Owelle Rochas Anayo Okorocha. Prior to the 2011 Governorship Election, the candidate of the All Progressive Grand Alliance, APGA and eventual winner, Okorocha, used “Rescue Mission” as his campaign slogan. At the end of hostilities, the word has continued to reverberate in the ears of Imolites who have come to think, behave and be Rescue Mission compliant.
True to its vision, the present administration has engaged in massive structural changes in line with the “Rescue Mission” spirit. I can vividly confirm that the Owelle Rochas Okorocha government has made appreciable impact on road construction and building of primary school structures across the state. However, it is a truism that of all the local governments where Okorocha’s Rural Road Revolution (RRR) and new school project are taking place, the two oil producing LGAs in the state; Ohaji/Egbema and Oguta have nothing to show from the Rescue Mission. This deprivation trend seems to be the legacy the Imo State Governor wants to extend to the people of the area except for Oguta re-run which forced government to engage in late minute phantom projects.
In this commentary, I will concentrate on the believed “ostracization mission” of Governor Okorocha against Ohaji/Egbema people. I would have joined the two LGAs in my discussion but this weekend’s epic battle between the APGA candidate, Walter Uzonwanne and Eugene Dibiagwu of PDP seems to be a wake-up call to the Governor who for election reasons remembered the people of Oguta LGA. Prior to this period, it was a dismal outing for the state government in Oguta.
I am propelled to delve into the seeming marginalisation and deprivation Ohaji/Egbema is witnessing in the hands of Okorocha. Three weeks ago when reports filtered in that the schools of Business/Management and Engineering of the Imo State Polytechnic, Umuagwo-Ohaji in Ohaji/Egbema LGA have been relocated to Ehime Mbano and Orsu LGAs respectively, under the planned multi-campus system, it generated resentment from Ohaji/Egbema people especially the host communities who under the banner of Imopoly Stakeholders Forum engaged in non-violent and peaceful protest against the relocation agenda. While I took time to discuss the issue, one notable fellow and suspected court tester who claims to be from the area, precisely Obile, attempted to counter my views in a manner that showcases infantile delinquency. I troubled myself trying to give the ranting of the rabble-rouser undeserved attention.
The uninformed verbiage of the fellow who is simply called Emma however gave me two interesting topics I handled in the last two editions. After I made a mince-meat of the amateurish regurgitation he posited, I decided this week to inform Emma and co-travelers of Ohaji/Egbema extraction in the “Rescue Mission” boat that they are merely undergoing “suffering and smiling” ride in the hands of their great missioner, Owelle Rochas Okorocha. The Imopoly assault is the apogee of the Governor’s insensitivity to the plight of Ohaji/Egbema people. Instead of delivering the expected dividends of democracy, the Okorocha administration is emasculating Ohaji/Egbema by not only dismantling structures he met but also denying the people expected developmental packages being extended to other areas.
The Governor while meeting the protesting Imopoly Stakeholders at the Government House, Owerri after the two-day siege of the Poly gate, confirmed the marginalization agenda when he reportedly requested to meet Ohaji/Egbema youths at the Ahiajoku Centre. The meeting was proposed by the Governor following litany of woes and plethora of complaints oozing from the protesting camp of the Ohaji/Egbema group who had chanced meeting with the Governor to protest the alleged balkanization of Imopoly. Re-echoing my earlier reports, the group’s spokesperson, Prince Rollyngs Ohagwam told the Governor that “the planned relocation of Imopoly vital courses to other areas in the name of multi-campus system is part of the present administration’s continuous marginalization, humiliation and non-consideration of people of Ohaji/Egbema in the scheme of things as the Rescue Mission government since inception in 2011 treated the major food basket and oil producing area of Imo State as “War Captives” in the Imo family”. Continuing the group’s leader told Governor Okorocha that the “continued blackout experienced in Ohaji/Egbema Communities since ISOPADEC no longer pays PHCN bills for electricity consumption, non asphalting of any kilometre of road in the entire LGA, and non existence of the Roche-type model schools, unlike other LGAs in the state, speak volume of the rejection and abandonment of Ohaji/Egbema” adding that the relocation of courses from Imopoly in Umuagwo-Ohaji, to other areas was the “last straw to break the camel’s back in the Okorocha’s “ostracisation agenda”.
Alarmed at the plethora of complaints from the group, the Governor while denying knowledge of these unsavoury developments reportedly blamed Ohaji/EGbema political leaders for the shortcomings witnessed since he assumed duties as Governor. While disclosing that the leaders especially political office holders of APGA/APC extraction have not been forthcoming in forming a synergy with the state government to develop Ohaji/Egbema, Okorocha consequently requested for a meeting with all the youths. This write up has been concluded before the Wednesday 26th June, 2013 date for the meeting. And as such the outcome of the parley will not be pronounced in this week’s Agwodinuju column.
Irrespective of the outcome of the dialogue between Governor Okorocha and Ohaji/Egbema youths, it is pertinent to x-ray some of the disturbing issues that have continued to portray the oil producing area as “war captives” in Imo community.
My commentary will also try to inform and educate the said Emma from Assah/Obile and his ilks about the modern day imperialist tendencies been exhibited by key players of the present government against the Ohaji/Egbema clan in Imo polity.
While it is no longer news that contrary to what is obtained in other LGAs of the state, no single kilometre of road has been asphalted in Ohaji/Egbema including the absence of the Roche-type of school, which the state government claimed it erected in all electoral wards, the abandoned area ironically is an integral part of the state government support base.
Apart from being the food basket of the state, Ohaji/Egbema alongside Oguta includes Imo in the map of oil producing states in the country which entitles Imo to the 13% Derivation fund from the Federal Government. Aside monthly allocation, Ohaji/Egbema and Oguta give Imo State monthly N1.5b from federation account as part of the 13% oil derivation largesse. More so, Adapalm Oil Palm Estate located in Ohaji/Egbema LGA was leased to Roche Group at a concession fee of N3.2b. It was learnt that instead of paying to the state government coffers, Roche is translating the fund to the building of 305 fabricated school buildings in the state. However, the host communities have not had a feel of the fabricated school blocks in their neigbourhood while others have.
Instead raising eyebrows and clamouring for the Roche-type school projects, political stakeholders of Ohaji/Egbema and to a large extent their kins in Oguta are entangled in inglorious imbroglio over leadership of Adapalm Landlords Association a pedestrian group. While unskilled staffers of Adapalm who are mainly from the area at cross roads and undoubtedly the sacrificial lamb in the concession are gnashing their teeth over planned mass sack and unpaid monthly allowances since Roche company took over, political warlords working with the government engaged in unwarranted skirmishes over mere crumbs due to the landlord’s association.
A group led by Government appointee and ISOPADEC board member, Gideon Meffor is resisting the interest of the member representing the constituency in the House of Assembly, Chief Luke Chukwu. Chukwu is battling to take control of the landlords’ association using instrument of the State Assembly, while Meffor and Co fight back through a top notcher in the State Executive Council, Prof Anthony Anwuka. Incidentally, while Adapalm workers consist mainly of Ohaji/Egbema people are languishing in abject poverty over negligence, their leaders are at daggers-drawn over infradigous windfall from Roche palm oil sludge. No political leader has considered it necessary to delve into the catalogue of troubles faced by the workers. Since the political leaders busied themselves with frivolities, Owelle turned his back at them by denying the people basic amenities.
Attracting my attention in anti-Ohaji/Egbema policy is the monstrous Imo State Oil Producing Areas Development Commission, ISOPADEC, Emma attempted to take me to the cleaners when I revealed that part of the road I mentioned as projects done by Ohakim in Ohaji/ Egbema in my last edition was handled by ISOPADEC. Emma reminded me that ISOPADEC never existed during that area as it was more of a conduit pipe to siphon the state government money. When I looked behind to reconsider the past years and what is happening in ISOPADEC operations within this time frame, I reconsidered it necessary to seek for who would Rescue Ohaji/Egbema.
For those who are not abreast with ISOPADEC, the history cannot be written without mentioning the name of two-time member who represented Ohaji/Egbema in the State Assembly and Speaker emeritus, Rt Hon Goodluck Nanah Opiah. After the 13% Derivation Committee could not achieved the desired result, Opiah used his legislative sagacity to sponsor the Bill for a law establishing the interventionist agency, which was successful during the tenure of Udenwa. However, Udenwa reserved the wish to give accent to the Bill until a day to handover to the incoming government when he composed the maiden board with late icon, Nzeobi of Egbema, Eze S.N Assor as Chairman .
In line with the regulations establishing the commission, ISOPADEC engaged in interventionist programmes that is a far departure from what is obtained today in Imo.
Ominous signs that ISOPADEC is heading for extinction under Okorocha emerged when key government functionaries and suspected Ohaji/Egbema and Oguta haters expressed concern over the continued existence of the commission. Okorocha showcased his earlier sinister moves when he acted in contrast to the law establishing ISOPADEC by appointing Board Members that are not captured by the law. Impending protest from stakeholders of oil producing areas forced the Governor to make a volte-face and appoint persons according to the provisions of the law establishing the commission as amended. Okorocha in that first instance appointed Board Members who are not from oil producing areas of the state.
Even after Chairman and Members of the Board were appointed, ISOPADEC seems to be dysfunctional as its activities do not have meaningful reflection on the deserving populace. Against what was obtained in the past where Board members decided what happens to the funds allocated to the commission, the Governor is the “Alpha and Omega” who bestrides the activities of ISOPADEC.
Without recourse to the desires of the people of oil producing community which centres on provision of social amenities and infrastructure, the Governor took the unilateral decision of building a gigantic structure in the state capital for ISOPADEC head office. No doubt, the edifice is a befitting structure to house the homeless commission that has no permanent structure since inception. However, the erection of the structure in Owerri negates the principle behind establishment of ISOPADEC as the new magnificent structure would have been sited in any of the oil producing areas of Ohaji/Egbema or Oguta if what is obtained at the national level or ISOPADEC law is anything to go by. The Niger Delta Development Commission, NDDC, headquarters is in PortHarcourt, heart of Niger Delta, with liaison offices in Abuja and other beneficiary states. Besides, the contract for the gigantic edifice lacked the local content policy as a non-oil producing area person who is said to be from Ideato got the contract for the multi-million naira project. Grapevine sources disclose that ministries like petroleum and environment managing in a rented apartment will be relocated to the ISOPADEC building when completed.
The next project to justify the huge amount given to ISOPADEC is the proposed Marine University. How the state government came about the establishment of the highly specialized higher institution remains a puzzle to many watchers of the area. Was it what the oil producing communities bargained and of what significance is it to an average Ohaji/Egbema and Oguta persons? Is the proposed marine university nothing but a mockery of the system as the desires of stakeholders from the area were not considered before embarking on the white elephant project.
Even when the state owned University and Polytechnic are suffering de-accreditation threats from the National Universities Commission, NUC and National Board for Technical Education, NBTE, respectively, Okorocha is toying with the risk of establishing a specialized university that demands sophisticated resource and facilities. While IMSU professional courses like medicine and law are risking extinction necessitated by NUC de-accreditation, Imopoly HND graduates in Engineering, Business & Management, Environmental Science and Science Lab Technology have been shut out from NYSC program beginning from this year as the management may subsequently do away with HND programmes. Reason is poor funding for required resources for accreditation. While the higher institutions are in shambles, the present administration engaged in deceitful promises of Marine University for oil producing areas.
I am aware that there is no Marine University in Africa as no country may waste huge resources establishing such specialized institution that could pass as an ordinary discipline in a University, like in the River State University of Science and Technology, PortHarcourt. Rather what we have are Marine Institute and Maritime Academy obtained in Egypt and Nigeria respectively. The institutions are federal projects and not state owned as our dear Imo attempts to experiment.
More so, was the interest of the area whose allocations are being used for the Marine University considered? Were Maritime technocrats, renowned academics in university and technical education consulted and carried along in producing the blueprint for the Maritime University? Unfortunately, the Governor took the ISOPADEC Managing Director, Dr Prince Henry Okafor, a medical professional with a Pentecostal church pastor, Rev Emma Ebomuche, who acts as the commission’s chairman, on a “tea party” to Korea under disguise for fact finding on a suitable Marine University to copy. Are the two officials of ISOPADEC who went to Korea with Gov Okorocha eminently qualified and academically justified to accept a Marine University for the people? Does the state government know how many years and the huge amount it would consume to establish such a university? Even as a site has been acquired at Osemotor without compensation the contractor who did the clearing and earth works is not from the oil producing area when there are many contractors from Ohaji/Egbema, and Oguta LGAs waiting in the wings to be empowered through ISOPADEC contracts. From all indications, the Marine University is another wonderful smokescreen meant to also divert and siphon the monthly N1.5b oil derivation fund accruable to the oil producing people through ISOPADEC.
Apart from these supposed landmark projects by Rescue Mission government, nothing again for Ohaji/Egbema and Oguta people to justify the N3% derivation fund. Unlike in the past when ISOPADEC engaged in minor contracts using indigenous contractors, for rural empowerment. It was even disclosed that the Board go through hell before squeezing out a meager amount for running cost as the Governor and Commissioner for Finance must give approval and counter-sign for release of fund which is in contrast to ISOPADEC law as amended. ISOPADEC is supposed to be an independent body, but the present regime thinks otherwise thereby using its neo-colonialist claws to hang on the commission’s fund. For lack of space, I will continue next week on the apartheid style of government against Ohaji/Egbema people. On the indiscriminate and abusive expenditure of the N400m Federal Government relief fund for flood victims of Ohaji/Egbema and Oguta will be exposed as well as the systematic removal of the Bureau for Niger Delta Affairs, meant for the oil producing communities, where the Special Adviser position has been reduced to a mere Special Assistant and no allocation to run the office. All these acts are geared towards annihilating the oil producing communities and that is why I ask; who will rescue them?
