The governor of Imo State, Hope Uzodinma, has disclosed that the newly formed Ebube Agu security outfit for the South-East region is not an alternative to the police, army and other federal government established security outfits.

The governor in a statement issued by his Chief Press Secretary, Oguwike Nwachuku, said that Ebube Agu is but “a local outfit meant to gather information on criminal activities and give to the security operatives for proper processing and action.”

He identified youth unemployment and ethnic mistrust as the main root of criminality in Nigeria in particular and Africa in general.

The statement identified idleness as the reason fueling criminality and insecurity in Nigeria.

Read Also: N60bn Claim: Obaseki raised Allegations to divert attention

The statement identified the governor as saying “his Government is working assiduously to resuscitate the state moribund industries in Imo by entering into Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with a seasoned private consulting firm, for the purpose of providing jobs for the Imo teeming youths to keep them away from crime.

“On the birth of security outfit for the South-East Geo-political zone codenamed EBUBEAGU, the Governor informed that it is not an alternative to the established security agencies such as Police, Army, Air Force, Navy, NSCDC, etc, but a local outfit meant to gather information on criminal activities and give to the security operatives for proper processing and action.

“They are to play complimentary roles on the efforts of the Federal Government and Security Agencies, knowing full well that a threat to security anywhere in the country is a threat to security everywhere in the country.

“Governor Uzodimma used the occasion to reiterate his stand that the security breaches in the South-East recently do not in anyway suggest that Ndigbo are tired of been in Nigeria. Rather, all we want is justice, equity and fairness in a big Nigeria family.”

The above is the caption of a response from the Imo State Government through the Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Declan Emelumba in reaction to the harmless advice from Distinguished Senator Samuel Nnaemeka Anyanwu over salary cuts and pension matters in the state.

Distinguished Senator Anyanwu had called on the APC led Government in the state to look beyond road rehabilitation, and address issues bordering on salary cuts and pension in the state.

Regrettably, instead of the Government to accept the advice in good faith and address the issues raised expeditiously having come from a man who doesn’t mean bad to the Government, she decided to resort to the use of guitar language in a matter of public importance.

Commissioner for Information, Declan Emelumba, while defending the indefensible APC Government accused Senator Anyanwu of being steamed in opposition paranoid, and as such, ought to have known that government is not owing any staff.

Reading through the denials of Declan Emelumba, one therefore wonders why the state Government smartly dodged the question, “Is there any salary cuts on monthly basis?” before telling the public how many civil servants received their wage.

Against this backdrop, Distinguished Senator Samuel Nnaemeka Anyanwu (Samdaddy) has been on the news for positive advice, and constructive analytical CRITICISMS across board.

One had expected the state Government to commend Senator Anyanwu for letting her know where she fails in the delivery of her campaign promises, rather than attacking him.

In as much as Senator Anyanwu respects Government and her managers having seen it all, he cannot fold his hands and watch Imo civil servants and pensioners molested, intimidated, and treated badly by any government or individual no matter his relationship with such person.

More so, as a Commissioner for Information and Government Chief image maker, Declan Emelumba ought to have avoided the use of guitar language in addressing salient issues as the one above in a bid to divert attention.

It is regrettable to note that the government is in the habit of commending anyone who sycophantly applauds her, and insults whoever that does not believe in her philosophy.

However, we consider this diatribe and poorly dispensed response as most unfortunate and unreasonable to the constructive approach used by Dist. Senator Anyanwu on the aforementioned subject matter.

However, it is the duty of the Government in power to put their records straight before hand, especially, when it has to do with salary and pension payments.

Notably, Distinguished Senator Anyanwu deserves an unreserved apology from Emelumba and the state government because, it is trite to say, beyond party affiliation, he has been very objective in all things he has been saying and/or contributing towards the development of a better society.

The questions are; are salaries of civil servants in the state not cut up to N30, 000 every month? If so, where is the money going to, and when will government pay back the money deducted from salaries?

Read Also; Duru accuses Lasbrey Anyanwu of looting ITC buses, vows to reposition company

Until Emelumba answer these questions, that is when we shall begin to listen to them as a responsible and responsive Government.

Remember, no Government wins the minds of the people through intimidation and use of guitar language.

…Accuses him of N150B debt

Former Governor of Imo State, Senator Rochas Okorocha has called on the Imo State Governor, Senator Hope Uzodinma to look for better projects to carry out as the sitting Governor of Imo State instead of re-commissioning the projects he did and commissioned while on seat as Governor.

This is even as he accused the Governor of owing over N150B domestic debt within one year he has held sway as the Imo State Governor.

In a release signed by Okorocha’s Adviser on media, Sam Onwuemedo and made available to Lead, the former Governor, appealed with his successor to look inwards and look for projects to carryout in Imo instead commissioning the projects he did and commissioned while on seat as the Governor in the state.

Governor Hope Uzodinma had last Friday commissioned and renamed the popular Akachi Road to Evans Enwerem Road through the Senate President Lawan.

Reacting to the commissioning, Okorocha said that the said Road was one of the major roads constructed and commissioned by his administration in 2011 and wondered why Uzodinma should however claim the construction.

Okorocha however made it clear that the essence of raising the alarm is to stop the Governor from further claiming by way of commissioning over one thousand projects his administration did while on seat as the Governor.

Read Also; Protect your projects, Senate President tells Imo