I’m not owing any bank, Okorocha insists

Imo State Governor Rochas Okorocha yesterday restated that his administration never borrowed money from any bank within or outside the shores of the land.

He gave a seven-day ultimatum to any financial institution with a counterclaim to come up with proofs.

The governor’s explanation came on the heels of a promise by governor-elect Emeka Ihedioha to look into the finances of the state under the watch of Okorocha when he assumed office on May 29.

Okorocha also disclosed that his administration does not owe workers salary arrears, adding that workers’ salaries have been paid up to February.

In a statement signed by his Chief Press Secretary (CPS), Mr. Sam Onwuemeodo, the governor challenged any bank with contrary claim to “openly indicate and give details of such transaction for the public to know.”

The statement reads: “We have come up with this position because the PDP is synonymous with falsehood and propaganda. And even as a party, if they know any bank the government of Rochas Okorocha has borrowed one naira from, they should mention such bank and state the particulars of the transaction so that interested persons can verify or forever, they should keep their mouths shut.

“Owing to Governor Okorocha’s monumental achievements, opponents of the administration have always erroneously concluded that he must have borrowed heavily from the banks.

“And that is the reason we are now stating openly that the Rescue Mission administration which Owelle Okorocha has superintended for almost eight years now has not borrowed money from any bank.

“We also want to state that Imo State government has paid workers’ salaries up to the month of February 2019, and the payment of the month of March salaries is about to commence. In other words, the State government is not owing any outstanding salary.

Read also: Non-issuance of Certificate of return: Okorocha is on his own, says APC

“Again, the government of Governor Okorocha is not owing any contractor. And if any contractor has any claim to the contrary he or she should immediately go to the Office of the Secretary to the government of Imo State with the relevant papers before May 29, 2019.

“We are doing this so that people would not come after the governor has left office to lie against him or make dubious claims.

“It is also on record that the administration has run free education since 2011 from primary to tertiary and no child pays one kobo as tuition fee, while the government also repurchased state-owned companies sold by the previous administrations, including the Resin Paint Industry Mbaise.”