Loading ...*Poly workers on strike over nonpayment of salary arrears
Information reaching 247ureports.com reveal that rather than offsetting the salary arrears of workers, Abia state Governor, Dr. Okezie Ikpeazu, has bought 24 Prado and 21 Hyundai jeeps for the State Assembly members and 21 Commissioners, respectively.
Impeccable sources told our correspondent that the jeeps are now packed at the Government House awaiting formal handover to the Assembly members and Commissioners.
The move which is now raising tension in the state has being condemned by a cross section of Abia residents who accuse Ikpeazu of abandoning his promise to remain a ‘common man governor.
247ureports.com gathered that the governor’s action has attracted criticisms in face of the nonpayment of arrears of workers’ salary an suspension of leave allowances including the strike action embarked upon by the lecturers of the Abia State Polytechnic, Aba, amongst other institutions.
Speaking on the development, a member of the State House of Assembly who pleaded anonymity for of victimization told 247ureports.com that the governor’s action of buying the jeeps is not in line with the economic realities of the state.
“Though I will benefit from the largesse, it is not enough for me to support such extravagance. I chose to describe it as extravagance because these classes of jeeps cost not less than N8 million each. Gov. Ikpeazu should have gone for quality cars in the region of N3 million for Assembly members and Commissioners to save funds for other needy areas.
According to a resident of Umuahia, Mr. Ogbonnaya Kalu, “Why will Ikpeazu buy Prado and Hyundai jeeps for legislators and commissioners when arrears of workers’ salaries are yet to be fully settled despite the bailout he got from the federal government? When there is poverty in the land when most families are unable to get three square meals per day. I heard that even some of the road projects he is doing in Aba has been abandoned. What has he done for the poor masses since the seven months he has been in power? Nothing. Why will government always be favouring the rich against the poor? It is unfortunate. The governor has disappointed the people of the state with this action.”
Kalu who is a trader at the Ubani Ibeku market, advised the governor to make policies that will improve the lives of the poor masses than always pandering to the interest of the rich and buying expensive jeeps for a class of people who can afford them.
