…Commends Governor Uzodimma on workers’ welfare
A group known as Imo Media Gatekeepers for Good Governance, IMGG, has decried what it described as mischievous, distortion of facts, watery and unacceptable sponsored media attacks against the person of the Imo State Head of Service, Barrister Raymond Ucheoma, urging those behind the negative behaviours to desist from such and allow Barrister Ucheoma, whom the group described as dedicated and diligent to discharge his duties as expected.
In the same vein, the group expressed appreciation to the state governor, Distinguished Senator Hope Uzodimma, for taking special interest towards enhancing the conditions of service for the state workers, and by extension; the pensioners. It noted with gratitude that since assumption of office, Governor Uzodimma has made conscious and steadfast efforts at promoting the welfare of workers, including the provision of free transportation and enrollment of workers into health insurance scheme.
It further identified other favourable programmes and policies of the present government aimed at putting smiles on the workers to include; regular payment of salaries and the unprecedented 13th month salary payment, the lifting of embargo on promotion which saw workers jubilating home with double promotions, the restoration of power at the state secretariat, the enhancement of the working environment as well as the distributions of snacks to workers at the end of each day’s work.
Another one is the signing into law by Governor Uzodimma the Bill which domesticated the extension of the age of retirement for teachers from 60 – 65 and the years of service from 35 – 40. In addition, the group acknowledged the Imo State governor’s steadfast payment of pensions to the retirees as well as the ambitious, but heartily commencement of the payment of accumulated gratuities to the Imo pensioners.
In a statement issued by the Coordinator of the media group, Mr. Ifeanyichukwu Ibe, and made available to this medium, the group wondered how some sponsored and self-serving individuals could be dissipating their energy trying to destroy the hard-earned reputation of Barrister Ucheoma, instead of channeling the same time in appreciating the good works of the Governor Uzodimma in regards to the state workforce and beyond which they have consciously ignored.
The group further described as irresponsible and laughable the various allegations leveled against Barrister Ucheoma, describing them as failed and desperate attempts to treat the HoS in like-manner of giving a dog a bad name in order to hang it. It also expressed shock that those seeking the downfall of Barrister Ucheoma at all cost, have regrettably chosen the part that is counterproductive and retrogressive, asserting that such dispositions are incompatible with the Governor Uzodinma’s 3R Government which champions productivity and merit.
The media group also faulted and described as misplaced, calls for the sacking of the HoS, but posited that such decision solely rests with the Executive Governor of Imo State who exercises his prerogatives in appointing those he considered competent and suitable to work with him in implementing his vision and determination of steering the state towards transformation and betterment. It, therefore, urged those behind the media attacks against Barrister Ucheoma to exercise restraint and bury their vain attempts to put undue pressure on the governor.
Furthermore, Imo Media Gatekeepers, used the opportunity to commend Barrister Ucheoma for his professionalism, discipline, commitment and integrity in discharging his duties as the Head of Service of the state. It added that Barrister Ucheoma has shown himself reliable, faithful and competent towards the realization of Governor Uzodimma’s good initiatives for civil servants in the state.
The group acknowledged with delight the amiable and fatherly disposition of Barrister Ucheoma towards attending to the needs of workers in the state which is obviously devoid of bias, favouritism or zonal considerations, while at the same time applauding the Imo HoS for his uncompromising stance and demonstrated commitments towards excellent service delivery in Imo State Civil Service. To this, the group highlighted Barrister Ucheoma’s diligent distribution of palliatives provided by Governor Uzodimma recently as well as improved attitudes of workers towards their duties.
It, therefore, urged Barrister Ucheoma not to be distracted by the antics of the enemies of progress who seek to derail the progressive train, but to hold on firmly to the values that have made him an exceptional Head of Service in Imo, and further urged him to be courageous in engineering transformation in the state civil service inline with the noble vision of Governor Uzodimma.
