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Former governor of Imo state and Senator representing, Imo West Senatorial district, Rochas Okorocha, has given reasons why he believes the current Government of Imo state led by Governor Hope Uzodinma cannot take over his University which has become a subject of controversy.
The senator stated that the Eastern Palm University, can’t be taken over by the government, because it was established under the Public-Private Partnership, an agreement between the Imo government and Rochas Foundation when he was the governor of the state.
He spoke through his Special Adviser on media, Sam Onwuemedor who spoke to newsmen yesterday in Owerri, while reacting to the government’s announcement that the Eastern Palm University has been taken over.
Read Also: Imo Govt Seizes Eastern Palm University From Okorocha
According to Onwuemedor, ‘This is to plead with the general public to disregard the claim by the State Government, with Chief Hope Uzodinma as governor, that it has recovered the Eastern Palm University, Ogboko.
‘And the only reason the government gave was that a Whitepaper, that has not been released, recommended for the recovery. The claim was only aimed at distracting the public from the total collapse of governance in Imo.
‘The Eastern Palm University was a creation of the law. It has a law establishing it. It is a legal entity. So, it is not a kiosk or market store one could wake up one day, to claim or announce to have recovered.’
The statement argued that ‘The Eastern Palm University was established by the Imo State of Nigeria, Law No. 3 of 2019. And part II, No.3 (3) Stated that
‘the University shall be owned on a Public-Private Partnership (PPP) basis, by the Imo State Government and the Incorporated Trustees of Rochas Foundation, hereinafter referred to as the Parties.
‘And the Agreement and Memorandum of Understanding between the Concerned Parties are domiciled in the relevant bodies or Institutions. And the law also provided that any of the Parties,
‘may decide to opt-out of the Agreement upon giving the prescribed notice and meeting the conditions for opting out as contained in the Agreement.’ He submitted.
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