|
Listen to article
|
Some indigenes of Imo State on Friday scored the state governor, Hope Uzodinma, low on performance one year after he became the state governor.
The indigenes made their positions known during a phone-in programme in one of the radio stations in Owerri, Ozisa FM.
Uzodimma became the governor of the state on January 15, 2020.
Read Also: Civil Service: Gov Uzodinma Talks Tough, Threatens Workers
Over 20 Imo citizens who called in during the phone–in programme scored Uzodimma low when they were called to rate him. One of the callers, Chibuzo Osuji, stated that Uzodimma had not been paying civil servants and pensioners, adding that his selective payment style of workers was alien to civil service.
He said, ‘My elder brother who is a civil servant has been complaining of salary slash. I thought he was joking only to find out that he could not pay one of his sons first term primary school fees. In fact, he is battling with life.’
‘It was gathered from most civil servants in the state that workers’ salaries are being slashed. Somebody who earns ₦170,000 as monthly statutory salary goes home now with ₦140,000 and other times ₦120,000. It is important to state that this salary does not come as and when due.’
Another caller, Mrs Chidinma Uzohu, described Uzodimma as a failure, adding that since he came on board as the governor, nothing better had happened compared to when Emeka Ihedioha was in charge.
A caller, Chibuzo Onyedika, however scored the governor 50 per cent. He said there were some factors that militated against him in office.
He said, ‘Let us not remove our mindset from the fact that as Uzodimma entered office, COVID-19 set in. There is also serious economic meltdown in the country.’
‘When one puts all these and more together, one would be able to come to reality with the situation on ground in Imo.’
He advised the people to be patient with the governor.
When contacted on the telephone, the Special Adviser to the Governor on Print (Local Media), Mr Modestus Nwankpa, alleged that members of the opposition Peoples Democratic Party are the ones behind the governor’s poor rating.
He said, ‘The people who are doing all these are people against our governor.’
‘Uzodimma came to correct the anomalies meted to the state by the former governor, Rochas Okorocha.’
‘I want to emphatically say that the callers are purely PDP members. It is noteworthy that a governor is not rated through a radio call-in programme.’
THE EASTERN UPDATES
