PDP Blames Workers’ Apathy, Slow Pace Of Rural Development To Budgetary Clampdown By Amaechi

The Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Rivers State chapter has decried the emerging indifference to work by public servants in the State as a convention, blaming it on Governor Amaechi's dismal policy of withholding the budgetary provisions for the Ministries, departments and government agencies and releasing same in piece meals.

The PDP in a statement signed by Jerry Needam, Special Adviser on Media to the State Chairman, Prince Felix Obuah said the inhuman policy by Amaechi is also responsible for the stalling of development of the Local Government Areas as he (Amaechi) has hitched the release of council allocations to his whims and caprices and total loyalty to him by his council appointees.

According to the party, with the exception of the ministries of health, works and education no other has accessed up to 10% of their 2013/2014 annual budgets which is the main reason for the snag in the running of these ministries.

This, regrettably, the PDP notes, has continued to discourage research, in-house training, workshops and procurement of necessary facilities to speed up operations as well as demoralizing the staff as promotions are not backed up with increments and allowances due to beneficiaries.

In the case of Caretaker Committees (CTCs) understandably preferred by Amaechi to elected Council Chairmen, they are confined to, and only given part of their allocations to pay staff salaries and a little to line their pockets, the PDP also stated.

The PDP is further worried that these public servants excepting the judiciary workers seem to have abandoned their fate to Amaechi's fancies as they appear to prefer dying in silence to demanding for their statutory rights including the so called 'loyal lawmakers' already pocketed by Amaechi.

To the PDP, it's not only undemocratic and unconstitutional but also criminal not to release the budgetary allocations to the relevant ministries and government agencies on and as at when due let alone diverting such to personal use both of which Amaechi is guilty of.

The PDP is therefore asking Amaechi to release without further delay all allocations due to the Local Government Councils, ministries and all other government agencies and parastatals which seizure has caused a lull in the State economy and untold hardship to the Rivers people and residents in the State.

Signed:

Jerry Needam
Special Adviser, on Media to
State PDP Chairman, Bro. Felix Obuah
Friday, September 19, 2014