Imo backtracks on employment scheme, concessions hospitals, agencies

In its plans to effectively manage its dwindling revenue profile and halt truancy among workers, the Imo State Government has approved the concessioning of its 27 hospitals as well as a few parastatals and agencies.

Also, Governor Rochas Okorocha authorised the dissolution of the ‘Youth Must Work’ project, sacking all the youths employed under the programme, except primary and secondary school teachers.

According to a statement signed by the governor’s Principal Secretary, Dr. Paschal Obi, in Owerri on Monday, the affected parastatals include the Imo Agricultural Development Programme (ADP), Agricultural Loans Board, Water Corporation, Consumer Protection Council (CPC), Imo State Culture for Arts and Culture (ISCAC), Imo Orientation Agency, Imo State Sports Council, Imo State Tourism Board, Imo State Zoological Garden, Imo State Library Board and the Imo State Job Centre.

Others are the Imo State Investment Promotion Agency, Imo Newspapers, State Directorate of Employment, Okigwe Cattle Market, Imo Lives stock, Ministry of Agriculture and Natural Resources Shop, Niger Delta Bureau, Poverty Alleviation Bureau, Imo Water Development Agency (IWADA), Bureau for Public Procurement and Price Intelligence, Imo Environmental Transformation Commission (ENTRACO), Imo Marketing Company, Imo Blue Lake, Oguta and Imo Essential Drugs.