By Uzoma Akobundu
Gerald Irona, Deputy Governor of Imo State, has said the former Governor Rochas Okorocha is fighting the present administration of Emeka Ihedioha with ill-gotten wealth.
Ihedioha had said on Thursday that Okorocha stole Imo dry to the tune of almost N1trillion during his eight year regime as governor.
Receiving a delegation from the Nigeria Television Authority (NTA) on Friday in his office, the Deputy Governor restated that Okorocha was no better than a common criminal.
Irona told his audience: “Let me reiterate the commitment of the present administration in Imo State, led by Chief Emeka Ihedioha to partner with the Nigerian Television Authority and all other Federal public institutions in the state. We are all working for the general interest of Nigerians.
“We have finished politicking and this is time for governance and all hands must be on deck to ensure that Nigeria moves forward. The country is going through a difficult period. You will recall that almost on daily basis, there are media reports of ugly incidents and social vices everywhere.
“We will encourage you to ensure that you support the government to fight crime in Imo State. Banditry has no boundaries and we must encourage the exposure of criminals, particularly, those that have looted our treasury. They must not be condoned. A criminal is a criminal. Criminals all over the world fight with ill-gotten wealth. It is the responsibility of the media to expose people who, in their opinion, through investigative journalism are corrupt.
“We met Imo that people had lost confidence in government. We met Imo that was disoriented. There was a disconnect between the citizens and the government. Look at the challenge of flooding in Owerri. People built on canals and water ways and Owerri master plan was distorted.
“You can see that there are no good roads in Owerri. Someone was in charge of this state for eight years and you can see the depth of infrastructural deficit. He is now using looted funds to fight the present administration for asking questions that every responsible administration must ask. We are barely two months old and I can assure you that Imo State will smile.”
Earlier in her speech, General Manager of NTA Channel 12, Owerri, Mrs. Franca Akinneye congratulated the Governor and the Deputy Governor for their victory at the polls.
She pledged the commitment of the station towards partnering with the present administration to deliver dividends of democracy to the people.
Mrs. Akinneye assured the Deputy Governor of their commitment to professional and responsible journalism, irrespective of the political party in power.
“We are professionals and we are committed to professionalism, not minding the political party in power.”
Highpoint of the meeting was a presentation of Star Times Television Decoder to the Deputy Governor by the Head of Station.
Present at the meeting were: Communication Adviser to the Deputy Governor, Dr. Walter Duru, Admin Manager of NTA Channel 12, Owerri, Emmanuel Opara, Marketing Manager, Martha Okoro, Babatunde Gbenga, Ugwu Hycinth, Chibuzo Lilian Okpara, Ada Oke and Nkiru Onyejesi.