OKOROCHA MOVES TO FORTIFY IMO ECONOMY, ESTABLISHES COMMITTEE ON AUTOMATED MANAGEMENT SYSTEM

Imo State Governor, Owelle Anayo Rochas Okorocha, has stated his readiness to strengthen the economy of the state and stop all forms of financial sharp practices carried out by civil servants in collaboration with some commercial banks in the state.

Governor Okorocha made this known to the public during the official inauguration of the steering committee on Imo State Automated Management System at the Government House Owerri.

The governor who ordered the closure of all unauthorised accounts in the state during the inauguration ceremony said henceforth all the accounts to be opened in the state will have his approval through the office of the Accountant General and Commissioner of Finance with the bank concerned.

He charged the committee to diligently discharge their duties, stating that such exercise when effectively carried out will help to fish out ghost workers and those who take salaries without working for the government.

According to Owelle Okorocha, in the face of dwindling economy, it is a measure that has become necessary in order to fortify the state against economic challenges.

Imo State Governor condemned the attitude of some bankers who connive with civil servants or refused to honour checks as such attitude slows the activities of government and warned that government will not tolerate such again.

Displeased with some perceived sharp practices in the civil service system, he admonished civil servants to cooperate with the committee as anyone who tries to be a hindrance or obstruct the process giving accurate data of actual number of workers and correct figures of salaries will be seriously dealt with.

Considering the Imo State wage bill in the face of the current economic recession, he called on all taxable adults to pay their tax regularly as it will help for the development of the state, pointing out that many states now survive through their Internally Generated Revenue and cutting down over bloated salaries of its work force.

Adding his voice, a member of the management committee from the government side Chief George Eche, who is also the Secretary to the Government of Imo State said; in the face of dwindling economy, it is imperative for the state to save as much as possible and block all avenues of leakages be it at the salary or pension level.

In his response the representative of the commercial banks, Mr Gabriel Okenwa, explained that the automated process is for collection of accurate data of civil servants in the state so as to ensure proper implementation of government policies,

He expressed conviction that the process will properly sanitise the data base of civil servants in line with existing realities and will ascertain proper placement and entitlements as well as eliminate all forms of fraud in the system.