Paris Club Refund: Imo Received N13.5bn –Okorocha

BY RAPHAEL ONYEKACHUKWU, OWERRI – Imo State Governor, Owelle Rochas Okorocha, on Friday said contrary to reports in some sections of the media that the state received N80 billion from the Paris Club Refund, he declared that the state received only N13.5 billion.
Speaking with newsmen after he received Vice President Yemi Osinbajo at the Sam Mbakwe International Cargo Airport, who was on his way to Umuahia, the Abia State capital, Okorocha lamented that members of the public have been misinformed on the Paris Club Refund.
According to him, “The truth is that the Federal Government owes the states, as it has been said on papers. For Imo State, it is N13.5 billion coming to the state, and not N80 billion, as being alleged. With N80 billion, I will change Imo to London. The N13.5 billion coming to the state can only pay two months salaries and pension if used in that direction. So, it is not a big deal, though it is helpful”.
“The N80 billion is actually the amount being owed the state, but it is not what is agreed on or what was approved by the Federal Executive Council (FEC) for payment. There is a complete misinformation on the issue of the Paris Club Refund”.
On why Osinbajo was going to Abia State, Governor Okorocha said, “I think it is a welcome development that the people of Niger-Delta are getting a sense of belonging, which has been the main problem. Neglect does not really mean the absence of cash or fund; it could also mean the absence of communication that may be causing the misunderstanding”.
“Now that the vice president is going around and reassuring the people of the Niger-Delta that the Federal Government cares and now understand their problems; things will change. I commend this wonderful programme of reaching out to the Niger Delta people, because I believe it is the only way to get a lasting and sustainable peace”, he added.
Calling on the Federal Government to release Nnamdi Kanu, leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), the Imo State Governor declared, “I equally recommend that the Federal Government should look into the issue of Nnamdi Kanu and get him released, so that they don’t make out a hero of him out of nothing. They should release him and let the leaders of the South-east talk to him to desist from such acts in the future, because it is an agitation not well presented. Presented in the form of sovereignty, form of war and that’s the anger of the Federal Government. I don’t think that is the intent of the young man. It should be seen as youthful exuberance and be released.
“I will try to bring some leaders from the South-east to make a case for him, because his continuous incarceration will make him a hero for nothing. He castigated everybody, including myself. His choice of words is why he is not enjoying the sympathy of most people. So, let’s see it as youthful exuberance. This will go a long way in showing everyone a sense of reconciliation and forgiveness which the country is in dire need of now to move forward”.