Barr. Ogbenna tasks Imo govt on good use of security votes.
3 min read
Controversial Imo lawyer and the Chairman, Obiator Uba Umuaka Solidarity Union, Barrister Victor Dito Ogbonna Esq, has tasked Imo and Njaba LGA on the judicious use of the security votes the state and local government receive from the Federal Government every month. Barrister Ogbenna who was reacting on the call which according to him was made by the government of Njaba Local Council to Umuaka community to contribute funds and raise security gates in the community.
In his reaction, Barrister Ogbenna wrote. “I don’t understand why a government of Umuaka handpicked by either the state governor or illegally installed LGA Chairman should ask Umuaka people to contribute money to fund or finance the erection of security gates in our communities.”
Umuaka Times gathered that for some time now, the (Uba) Umuaka community has been making moves on how to secure the community from the invasion of criminal elements by erecting gates at boundary areas in the community. After a careful calculation of all the gates needed in the community, the Hon Kizito Duru led government came to the conclusion that over N10 million was needed for the project.
Deeply worried on how the government of the day would task the people to finance such a heavy project, Barrister Ogbenna issued the statement to question the rationale behind such call on the already hunger-striken people of the community.
“If we’re to raise money for the execution of such a project from our already shriveled private purses or resources, I equally envisage a situation where the citizens will also be tasked with the responsibility or liability to pay the security men and possibly women who are to man those gates. The question that I find inescapable is where is the special allocation otherwise called governor’s security vote channeled?”
Barrister Ogbenna who went further to question what the security votes in the LG and state are being spent on also expressed deep concerns on the performances of the local government authorities in Imo State. “It’s a notorious fact that our LGAs have consistently failed woefully to perform the functions and duties cast upon by our constitution and till date, our people haven’t deemed it necessary to confront those calling the shots at the LGA about these illegalities.”
From the tone of his message, Barrister Ogbenna was deeply worried over the big financial burden the government has imposed on the people who are facing several challenges including the Delta variant of Covid19 and other social contradictions.
Mr Victor Dito Ogbonna who is the principal partner, Victor Dito & Co, Nwannediuto Chambers then advised the Imo State government thus; “The Senator Hope Uzodinma led administration should relieve the impoverished villagers the extra burden if not torture of financing the installation of security gates in their villages.”
“It’s the sacred and statutory obligation of the govt to provide adequate and effective security of the lives and properties of its citizens and that’s the underpinning reason for the social contract theory.”
“It’ll be a gross act of irresponsibility and insensitivity for the govt of the day at all tiers to shirk in that duty and seek to shift the onus or burden unto our seriously devastated ordinary citizens or taxpayers.”
