Imo PDP wants Uzodimma to account for N180.6b LG funds

•Uzodimma borrows to develop the state-APC

The People’s Democratic Party (PDP) in Imo State on Friday called on state Governor Hope Uzodimma to account for N180.6 billion belonging to 27 local governments his administration has received from the Federation Accounts Allocation Committee (FAAC) in last 36 months.

In a statement by the state Publicity Secretary, Collins Opurozor, the party said there was nothing on ground particularly in rural areas to show that such amount has reached the local governments.

“In last thirty-six months, the regime of Senator Uzodimma has received from the Federation Accounts Allocation Committee (FAAC) a total of N180.6 billion meant for the Local Governments in the State. Today, there is nothing on ground that shows that even a Kobo has gotten to the LGAs. Senator Hope Uzodimma must, without any further delay, tell Imo people where he kept the N180.6 billion belonging to the Local Governments.”

The party noted that Imo is currently the most indebted Igbo state, with a debt profile which stands at N220 billion.

“That means that the regime of Senator Uzodimma has doubled the debt profile in less than three years. And the fundamental question is: “What has the regime done with over N100 billion it has borrowed so far?”

The party also faulted the 2023 state budget which it said has a deficit of N354 billion.

“For instance, the entire receipts from FAAC to the State for the year would be in the region of N70 billion. 13% Derivation Fund would be N9.6 billion. IGR would be N13 billion. And other interventions and grants, including UBEC, would be N28 billion. That brings the total income of the State for the year to about N120.6 billion.

Yet, Senator Uzodimma is already planning to spend the sum of N475 billion within the year. The deficit of N354 billion would be raised through borrowings. It must be noted that there is no single plan on ground to execute any project that would meet the basic needs of Imo people.”

It said that in all of the landmark borrowings by the governor, no effort has been made to redraw the industrial landscape of the State by re-jigging investments in the hugely vital agro-industrial sector where Imo has major comparative advantage.

“Adapalm has remained moribund, Imo Rubber Estates and Avutu Poultry Farm have remained comatose. Equally, Nsu Tiles Company, Umuna Bricks Factory, Egbema Power Plant and Inyishi Aluminium Extrusion Plant are some key investments with the capacity to rev-up the local economy and employ a vast majority of the teeming unemployed Imo youths. Yet, they have been left to rot away.”

Reacting, the state Publicity Secretary of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Cajetan Duke described PDP as a drowning party.

“PDP is only demonstrating their fear that they have lost the 2023 general election in the state which of course the APC will win with a landslide.

“We don’t expect PDP to clap or commend Hope Uzodimma. The truth of the matter they have confirmed that the governor has done 48km road from Owerri to Orlu.

“Talking about borrowing, there is no government that is not borrowing in Nigeria. The problem is what are you doing with the money you are borrowing. Hope Uzodimma is using the money he has borrowed to improve the infrastructural needs of the state and he is investing the money in the critical sectors of the economy.

“So, the question is Hope Uzodimma borrowing to build a private residence for himself, is he borrowing to take his family abroad or borrowing to renovate his house like Emeka Ihedioha.”