AWKA—CHAIRMAN of Anambra State Council of Traditional Rulers, Igwe Alex Nwokedi has defended the economic polices of President Olusegun Obasanjo, saying that he (Obassanjo) is not insensitive to the plight of Nigerians. Nwokedi who spoke on the last day of the 4-day warning strike called by the organised labour to protest the recent increase in the pump prices of petroleum products however, called for a closer tie between labour and the government as a way of resolving their economic differences. Nwokedi also called on the National Assembly to amend the Joint Account system which handed over the funds of local government councils to the state so that funds for local government councils should go direct to them, saying “we can hold them responsible for non-performance”.
Nwokedi, who is the traditional ruler of Achalla, in Awka North Local Government Area of Anambra State however took to task Minister of Works, Chief Adeseye Ogunlewe for what he described as “his inconsistent statements on the Onitsha-Owerri road project.” Nwokedi said that the contractors handling the road project which he has interest in has not received 25% of the contract sum which is N8 billion after three years and wondered why the minister has been molesting the contractors. Igwe Nwokedi who spoke to journalists on the occassion of his 2004 New Yam Festival (Iwa Ji) expressed worry over the condition of state roads in Anambra State.
The traditional ruler who appreciated the sufferings of Nigerians however insisted that the President was working hard to assuage the effect ofs government’s economic reforms. “It is not right to say that the President is not sensitive to the sufferings of the people. Before he came in, we had no economy, everything was in ruins. The only thing I suggest is that there should be a closer understanding between the government and the people. “All the interest groups who said that they were mobilising have their own agenda. (Alhaji) Balarabe Musa, Gani. Fawehinmi and labour have their differnt objectives. Some of them said Obasanjo must go, but that is not the issue. Obasanjo will never cheat this country, he will never take their money,” Nwokedi said.
On the controversial N24 billion Onitsha-Owerri road, awarded to a Greek firm, Consolidated Construction Company (CCC) Ltd. he said the company had not failed as the Government has not properly fulfilled its own contractual obligation. “All these compaign against CCC is not good. CCC is an international company. They have done jobs in America and other countries.
The way the minister runs down the company is not good. “CCC has written the Government to ask that it be allowed to use its own money to do the work but it has not got a reply yet. After going with the minister on inspection tour to Owerri, he (Ogunlewe) promised to give the compnay N600 million the following week, but till now nothing has happened. Let him be consistent. “He is always talking of N6 billion.
The mobilisation for the contract should be N8 billion, yet he has not met the target. The company should be allowed to do its work unmolested. The thing is getting on my nerves. What we expect from CCC is that government will do its own part and the company will do its own. “This is a road project that should be built in three years at a rate of N8 billion per year. It is now three years and only N6 billion was given and people are being misled. They have not even fully given the first instalmental payment of N8 billion,” he said.
The Anambra State traditional council chairman said the state roads were in terrible conditions, and called for the return of Local Government funds directly to the council coffers as against the present situation where it goes to the state government coffers. “Those who have their roads done should come out and tell us so that we rejoice with them. You passed through Achalla road, is it done. I live in Achalla, the roads have not been done, the Local Government has not done anything. “A labourer is worthy of his wage. As a catholic, to deny a labourer his wages is a sin. Paying workers their salary is not an achievement. The Joint Account System should be amended by the National Assembly to give Local Government Councils their own funds so that we can hold them responsible for non-performance”, the Monarch said.
