Publish Imo State Accounts Now -- Archbishop Obinna Challenges Gov. Okorocha

Imo State Government has been challenged to publish the state accounts
so that the citizenry would know the proper financial health of the
state.

The Catholic Archbishop of Owerri Ecclesiastical Province, Most Rev.
Dr. Anthony J. V. Obinna, who threw the challenge to Governor Rochas
Okorocha yesterday, while delivering a sermon at Maria Assumpta
Cathedral, Owerri, also argued that the publication of the financial
state of affairs would enable the citizenry to know the true position
of things.

"Lack of salary creates room for murmuring. It is necessary that
parents receive their salaries and pensions to take care of themselves
and their families. When parents do not provide for their families, it
will lead to murmuring", Archbishop Obinna reasoned.

It was the considered opinion of the Archbishop that there was no
cogent reason why workers and pensioners should not be paid if the
state was buoyant.

"If there is money, why is it not being used to pay workers and
pensioners? If there is no money, it is important to let people know.
Lack of accountability and transparency could lead to murmuring",
Archbishop Obinna said.

The cleric insisted that since government account was not a personal
thing, it should be made public, if the government truly wants to be
accountable, as well as wish to dispel doubts regarding misuse of
public funds.
"Publish the account so that everybody will know that there is no money.

But as long as Nigeria is considered a rich country, as long as oil
is still flowing, everybody is looking up to see when the oil money
will get to the state", Obinna said.
He then prayed God to touch the hearts of those who are keeping the
monies to release it so that things will positively change.
-Vanguard