Misplaced Priority, IMO PDP Calls Out Uzodinma on Car Gifts

Following the car gifts by Governor Hope Uzodinma to his aides, political appointees, the opposition party the Peoples Democratic Party(PDP) in the state has condemned the political largesse, saying that the governor was impoverishing the Imo people.

In a statement made available to pressmen, signed by the state Publicity Secretary, Ogubundu Nwadike, stated that the gifts were unnecessary. They noted that state retirees were not being paid their pension and those paid get below their expected pension. They urged the governors to concentrate on improving the lives of Ndi-Imo and paying salaries and pension. Read the Full statement below;

PEOPLES DEMOCRATIC PARTY, IMO STATE

Press Statement

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Imo State has reviewed the recent gift of vehicles by Senator Hope Uzodimma to his political appointees and workers and concluded that not only were they Greek gifts, but also a deceptive hoodwink of the impoverished and weary people of Imo State.

Our great Party feels it was an unfair parting gift to undeserving select loyalists and apologists of Uzodimma’s, in view of the uncertainty of the metamorphosing political climate in the State.

This Party finds it most appalling that under the inhuman circumstances of non-payment of salaries and pensions in the State, this regime could afford to embark on an economically inappropriate and indeed wasteful policy decision of procuring scores of vehicles for political appointees.

Our Party notes with great dismay that at a time other States of the federation are strategizing on thrift and prudence, owing to the lingering realities of the Covid-19 pandemic, the regime in Imo State can afford to place purchase orders and take delivery of vehicles under payment terms and conditions that further mortgages the economic and financial future of our dear State. Instructively, the Covid-19 pandemic, which this regime has tendered as an excuse for its lackluster performance, did not stop the regime from buying those vehicles on credit.

This Party has it in good authority that the vehicles, which were procured at prices that are 300% the real cost of the vehicles, are yet to be paid for. Our Party, therefore, challenges this regime to make public the cost at which the vehicles were procured, with other necessary information, and prove that the vehicles have been paid for.

This Party does not see any economic wisdom in this regime staking about N1 billion in a poor retrogressive policy like gifting political appointees with vehicles, at a time nothing works in the State. Workers are not paid salaries. Those that are purportedly paid very low fractions of their salaries.

Ditto, retirees are not paid pensions. Those that are purportedly paid, only get dying pensions far below their due pension entitlements.

Our Party has concluded that the entire razzmatazz display is a tragicomic drama and an unnecessary petty play to a gallery that has become characteristic of this regime. Why this regime chooses to toy with the sensibilities, welfare, and well-being of Imo people still baffles this Party.

Our Party, therefore, wishes to use this medium to charge this regime to endeavour to set its priorities right and consciously consider delivering quality good governance to the people of Imo State. This Party unequivocally State here that this regime’s leadership style remains unacceptable whereby it plays circus, while nothing works in the State.

All our Party is saying in essence is that this regime should ensure that Imo workers and pensioners are paid 100% of their due salaries and pensions as and when due, that Imo roads are duly constructed, and basic social amenities provided for Imo people in the right quality and quantity. Only doing that would be good enough for the people.

Signed:

Ogubundu Nwadike,
State Publicity Secretary,
Imo PDP.

September 11, 2020.