ROCHAS OKOROCHA: HIGH EXPECTATIONS, NO RESULT

Rochas Okorocha’s stewardship in the last two years has been a mixed bag for many Imo residents, as they worry about the quality of infrastructure that the governor has provided. For many, the infrastructure is considered sub-standard. This is understandable given the fact that rehabilitation and construction works are largely handled by second-rate contractors that are appointed without due process or open competitive tenders. Many of the jobs, therefore, go bad shortly after inauguration.

Okorocha has also spent the last 12 months battling with labour unions and pensioners over his proposal that the latter should forfeit 60 per cent of their outstanding arrears. The petitioners have since sued him. The backlog of unpaid salaries in Imo State is another area that has led to confrontations with labour.

Also agitating the minds of the people is the ineffectiveness of the State House of Assembly that has been unable to check the excesses of the garrulous governor. With only four opposition PDP members out of 27, the legislature has become a mere appendage of the executive. Meanwhile, the impact of his effort to get public sector workers in his state to spend a certain number of days in the week in farmlands is yet to be seen.

Security of lives and property has, however, been given top priority by Okorocha’s administration, leading to a reduction in kidnapping and armed robberies. Education has also been pursued by the Okorocha government, especially at primary and secondary school levels, with the remodelling of several schools in the state.

Imo under Okorocha is also contending with a serious fiscal crisis. With the drop in oil prices, the state’s FAAC allocations dropped significantly while internal revenue generation has also taken a hit, falling from a peak of N8.1 billion in 2014 to N5.8 billion in 2016. Given its debt stock, it is apparent that Imo State’s debt service as a percentage of total revenue is unsustainable.