Gov. Okorocha attacks economic team for exposing debt, state of imo economy

Imo State Governor, Rochas Okorocha, has lambasted his economic team led by academic. Maurice Iwu for allegedly leaking the result of a personal meeting held at Government House, Owerri, to the general public.

The Prof. Iwu-led imo Economic Development Initiative had visited the governor to debate problems affecting the state.

The issues were the debt status of the state, that the group said stood at N93 billion; economy of the state; donor agencies, the ban of Keke operations in the state capital, IGR and poverty level among others.

The governor had before the meeting that was held behind closed doors, directed all those coming for the meeting to drop their phones with the protocol personnel at the doorway of the venue.

In a statement signed and made available to reporters in Owerri yesterday, the Chief Press Secretary to the governor, sam Onwuemeodo accused Iwu and his team of leaking the discussions to the press.

The statement said for this reason the economic team did not merit government’s respect.

He said, “Less than 48 hours, the story of the meeting was everywhere in the media with some of them quoting from the document professor. Iwu read. which means the team released the document they came with to the press.

“And by so doing, justifying the initial observations of the governor regarding the timing of the meeting and also the political inclinations and aspirations of key members of the team.

“For that reason, we don't think that professor. Iwu and his team deserve our respect once more, having abused the respect we had extended to them, since one doesn't eat his cake and still have it.

“We have always maintained that the 2019 election are left for imo people to decide at the poll with regard to who can govern the state after Governor Okorocha. it's not by tricks. we've got our achievements to show the distinction between us and all those before us.

“And they know that it will be tough for imo people not to hear Rochas when the time comes with regard to his monumental achievements.

“It is going to be achievements galore versus propaganda stuff. And your guess are as good as mine, on the one that may mean much to imo people once the time comes.”