The Enugu State Government has described as false and unfounded reports by a section of the media that it has not released subventions to parastatals in the state for the past twelve months.
The government’s reaction was contained in a statement signed by Chukwudi Achife, Chief Press Secretary to Governor Sullivan Chime in
which he also refuted allegations that one Anthony Okeke was being held in prison custody for overtaking the Governor’s convoy.
Achife said that while the state was up to date in the payment of salaries and pensions of workers in the state, it only owed subventions to parastatals for the months of February and April 2015 contrary to the claims made in the report.
He further stated that government was also up to date in the payment of non-permanent staff in the service of the state government in
conformity with the policy of the Chime administration from inception to pay salaries of staff as at when due.
He said, “It is quite false and inaccurate for anyone to claim that the state government has not released subventions to parastatals for
the past twelve months. On the contrary, the subventions are up to date except for the months February and April 2015.
On the issue of Anthony Okeke, Achife stated that contrary to claims in the media,, Okeke was being held in custody on the orders of a
court for impersonating a police officer.
The Government spokesman explained that Okeke had on being arrested for blocking the Governor’s convoy, claimed to be a policeman but on further investigation, was found to have lied.
He said, “We make the point clear that Anthony Okeke was charged to court for impersonating the police. Even though he was initially
arrested for blocking the Governor’s convoy, it was for his false claim that he was a policeman that he was charged to court and remanded in prison custody. He is in prison on the orders of a court of competent jurisdiction and not that of Governor Sullivan Chime, so his claim is false and mischievous”.
