A Call To Account For Waste And Mismanagement Of N85 billion Health Sector Loan In Imo State Under Rochas Okorocha 

The attention of Igbo Ekunie Initiative (IEI) comprising individuals in Nigeria and the Diaspora has been drawn to documents emanating from various sources wherein specific details of mismanagement and outright abuse of office by the Rochas Okorocha administration was listed. In particular, we note that the 27 general hospitals designated for the 27 local governments have remained uncompleted more than 5 years since inception. This is in spite of a purported loan of N85 billion collectively signed for by the 27 local government Chairmen for that purpose. We also note the attempted sale of the uncompleted hospitals alongside already existing general hospitals and health centres in the state to private investors.

It is of particular concern that whereas Imo state public health services had up to 32 consultants/specialists in 2011, there is not a single consultant left in the state’s public health services. Consequently, Imo state health services have been degraded to mere chemists lacking general and or specialised care for even the commonest ailments. This predicament is compounded by the closure of the Ochiedike diagnostic centre where patients hitherto availed of affordable diagnostic services. We submit that this appalling situation demonstrates beyond doubt, the total collapse of the primary healthcare system in the state; further aggravated by unpaid salaries, pensions, wage cuts and job losses amidst grinding poverty.

Added to the heaps of refuse in Owerri and elsewhere, bad roads across the state, unpaid salaries and pensions amongst others, we make bold to state that Governor Okorocha’s stewardship of Imo state has been emblematic of waste, mismanagement, monumental corruption, and insensitivity resulting in overall failure. While we note the alleged N85 billion loan which is one among many of such unaccounted, pilfered or mismanaged loans; we are willing to give Governor Okorocha some benefit of the doubt by requesting herein; complete details of the loan and the use to which it was put. In conclusion, it’s important that Governor Okorocha understands his responsibility vis-à-vis the fundamental purpose of leadership; which is to provide for the welfare and safety of the citizenry. To that end, a leader must at a minimum invest and manage public resources in such a way as to achieve and maximise those fundamental ends.

These are the universal standards of governance from which we expect no less from governor Okorocha and others entrusted with leadership. It is our firm belief that any leader who has failed to meet this threshold is guilty not only of mismanagement but abuse of office. It is an honour to lead and such an honour must not under any circumstances be betrayed. We at Igbo Ekunie have resolved to beam our searchlights on South East Governors/leaders vested with the mandate and onerous responsibility to provide good governance in view of holding them accountable to the citizenry.

Maazi Tochukwu Ezeoke
President Igbo Ekunie Initiative
Phone: +44 7748612933
Email: [email protected]
Lawrence Nwobu
Secretary Igbo Ekunie Initiative
+353874151329