Imo government verifies retirees, lawmakers begin work on housing, tax bills

RETIREES’ rejection of another round of verification notwithstanding, the Imo State Government has insisted that those not captured in the last exercise must present themselves for the mop-up exercise scheduled for yesterday and today before they could be paid their arrears.

In a statement yesterday, the Chief of Staff, Government House, Uche Nwosu, directed the pensioners to avail themselves the opportunity by presenting themselves at the Imo International Conference Centre (IICC), Owerri, with the original of pension Identity Card, first appointment letter, notice of retirement and authorisation.

The exercise, it added, is for the retired state civil servants, council and primary school teachers. Meanwhile, a bill on affordable houses for civil and public servants, and another to impose taxes on goods and services have been presented to the House of Assembly.

While the bill on houses has been read the second time, that of taxes was read for the first time on presentation at the plenary. Their sponsors, Uche Agabiga (Orsu) and Chukwuemeka Lyod (Owerri North), urged the governor to sensitise the workers on the benefits of the bill ahead of its passage.

Members also emphasised the need to access the statutory contributory scheme at the Federal Mortgage Bank for home ownership, while stating that hearing on the bill on taxes would be taken very serious.

Also, the Assembly directed the Nigerian Bottling Company Limited (NBC) to produce the Certificate of Occupancy and details of payments in respect of its 400 plots of land in Okigwe, which the state government gave the company about 30 years ago.

It also asked the company to develop the land appreciably as it prepares to build its mega plant, just as the Committee on Industry and Non-formal Sector was asked to monitor compliance with the resolutions on the matter.

In another development, the monarch of Oru Ahiara in Ahiazu Mbaise local council, Eze Oleka, has decried the increasing rate of kidnappings, rape, child theft/ trafficking and other vices in the area, urging Governor Rochas Okorocha to hasten the completion of the 27 general hospitals to stop criminals from using them to perfect their crimes.

Oleka, who addressed newsmen on Tuesday on the suspected rapist and kidnapper who was arrested in the community, noted that evidence showed that the uncompleted buildings were being used for the hoodlums’ nefarious activities. “We never knew that this kind of thing could ever happen in this area.

Nobody is safe anywhere now,” the monarch said. “If they can live in a general hospital under construction, rape, rob and kidnap people from there, then no place is safe again. “I am pleading with the government to come to our rescue because this kind of attitude could be destructive.”

Meanwhile, the Imo state government has clarified that the plots of land in Uzoubi, Umuori in Owerri North local council belonged to it and were given to the council authorities.

The explanation became necessary as some persons in the area were already claiming ownership of the land, the Secretary to the State Government, Jude Ejuogu, said in a statement.