Okorocha has sold off 71 vehicles to cronies for N6.1m – Imo PDP
The Imo state chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has restated its allegation that the exiting governor of the state, Rochas Okorocha has allegedly embarked on last minute pillaging of the state ahead of the termination of his tenure in May 29, 2019.
The party said that the state governor had last week disposed off 71 Government vehicles including Jeeps and heavy duty trucks to supposed cronies at a ridiculous price of N6.1million with the traditional ruler of Amannachi in Orsu council area of the state acting as the auctioneer.
The PDP had raised the alarm last week that the outgoing governor has allegedly engaged in the looting of the state, illegal employment , selling of Government properties and the issuance of certificate of Occupancy to his cronies , family members and associates in a last minute move to fleece the state.
The state Secretary of the party, Hon. Ray Emeana Wednesday at a press briefing made copies of the memo for the auction of the 71 vehicles available to newsmen, noting that the party had earlier drawn the attention of Imo people to the on going looting of state government properties by officials of the out going government.
According to Him, ” We are here to substantiate the allegation which we made last week that the outgoing governor Rochas Okorocha has been selling off the properties of the state. A circular from the Cabinet Office and signed by Mrs Ukaigwe Julia in which governor Rochas Okorocha has approved the appointment of the Traditional ruler of Amannachi , Dr. M. Osakwe as the Auctioneer for 71 Government owned vehicles which includes Toyota Hilux ,Prado Jeeps, heavy duty trucks, Bitumen tankers , CAT payloaders , Toyota Camry, Toyota Corolla, Nissan Armada, Toyota land Cruisers and others.
“These 71 vehicles were sold for a ridiculous price of N6.1Million. This is the same scenario at the Ochiedike Diagonstic Centre, a state establishment, where Okorocha has equally ordered that vehicles and ambulances be auctioned.”
Emeana also disclosed that the outgoing governor has also embarked on illegal employment of people into the Ministries without due process.
He pointed out that Governor Rochas Okorocha is ostensibly out to plant land mines and booby traps for his successor, Chief Emeka Ihedioha of the PDP.
“This is a clear and deliberate attempt by governor Rochas Okorocha to put the Emeka Ihedioha administration into serious difficulty This is a landmine being planted by Okorocha. As we speak the Government is engaged in illegal employments backdating letters of employment.
“We are therefore advising those who are buying these items including lands to desist forthwith because they are not the personal properties of Governor Okorocha but that of the state and these properties would be recovered.
He added, Debt Management Office said that the state would not be allowed to access any foreign debt in the next five years because of the huge foreign debt already incurred by this Government. So why is Okorocha deliberately trying to things difficult for his successor.”
Reacting, the Secretary to the State Government, Chief Mark Uchendu dismissed the claims by the PDP as fallacious saying: “Their claims are untrue. Government did not auction any vehicle this year. The vehicles were auctioned last year after they were duly evaluated.”
