THREE PREGNANT WOMEN SLUMP OVER SIX MONTHS SALARY ARREARS IN IMO

ragedy struck at the Imo State Accountant General's office, Owerri on Friday when three pregnant teachers slumped while waiting for the payment of the six months salary arrears owed them.

Pointblanknews.com gathered that Gov. Rochas Okorocha directed the newly recruited teachers to report at the AG's office to receive their six months salary arrears as the teachers have not been paid since November 2013 when they were recruited.

The teachers numbering about 10,000 were not attended to as at 3pm until one of the officials started arranging tables and chairs to commence payment. The teachers started struggling for space, leading to confusion. Before the payment could commence, three pregnant teachers had slumped and were rushed to the hospital in a tricycle which was hired by their colleagues.

One of the teachers who spoke to our correspondent on the condition of anonymity stated that only two persons were paid two months salary arrears of N20, 000 per month before the teachers were told that the money for the payment has been exhausted.

Angered by the situation, the teachers resorted to protest and barricaded the roads leading to the AG's office. A cross section of the teachers who spoke to our correspondent blamed the government for bringing them to suffer when they knew there was not enough money to go round.

“The government is using us to play politics. We have been here since morning but nobody addressed us until about 3pm. Even when they brought the money, only two people were paid. Why did government decide to pay only two out of the months six arrears owed us? Why can't they pay us through the 27 local governments instead of calling us to Owerri to suffer?We are tired of this politics being playde don our salaries.'

They alleged that Okorocha brought them out to be televised for the world to believe that he has paid them all, adding that they knew it to be a political gimmick which the governor is known for.

Another teacher who said she came from Orlu local government boasted that nothing will make the governor win a second term in 2015 as according to her, Okorocha has lost people's confidence.