Anambra residents and critics have continued to express their concern and dissatisfaction to the Anambra state government following the distribution of 151 SUV Innoson Vehicles to traditional rulers recently.
While many commended the state government for the decision, Several critics were of the opinion that such public resources could have been better channelled towards the development of the state in the face of the unprecedented hardship occasioned by the coronavirus pandemic.
Governor Obiano who distributed the vehicles last Friday at Dr. Alex Ekwueme Square, Awka, the state capital, said it was to encourage their efforts in entrenching development including security of lives and property at the grassroots and also to appreciate them for overseeing the successful execution of the N20 million community infrastructure (choose-your-project) at their respective communities, assuring that his administration would continue to provide for the traditional institution.
Meanwhile, varied opinion NOTED that, the car presentation is also coming weeks after Governor Obiano suspended 12 monarchs for one year after they travelled to Abuja with the oil magnate, Prince Arthur Eze, to report him to President Muhammad Buhari.
Paul Iregbenu, a resident of the state, described the action by the state governor, Willie Obiano as ‘madness’. He said, “The man is a misfit for the office of the governor. This action of his is pure madness, especially at a time people are enduring the brunt of coronavirus, multiple and high taxation, hike in electricity tariff and now, ever increasing fuel prices.
“You wonder who is actually advising this man? This action of his is impeachable and a serious-minded house of assembly would impeach him”.
According to Dede Uzor Uzor, of Human Rights Liberty Access and Peace Defenders Foundation (HURIDE), the governor’s action is totally ostentatious and economic suicide, especially now that the Anambra state economy is facing serious economic recession going by bad policies and lack of vision and professionalism in governance.
“How can you embark on such non-economic benefit projects to citizens when the roads are in an abysmal situation?
“No electricity because the governor has not procured a single transformer for any community just to improve electricity, and in line with their party’s policy of lighting the whole community. The governor lacks vision to manage the affairs of this great state”.
A Facebook user, Diana Odika said, “this is spending money unnecessarily. Please, there is no good road network in my town; no drainage and you are spending money on people that already have cars. What type of government is this?
Similarly, Celestine Onuorah wrote, “Demonic leaders everywhere. See the way they are spending money meant for the poor masses. God will punish all of you; useless government. No good road; no stable light; no good water in Anambra state and this useless man wants to buy a car for the evil chiefs. Rubbish!”.
Tochukwu Okoye posited, “War of car buying. Mr. Governor, please remember to finish the road leading to NYSC Permanent Camp, Mbaukwu, because, as it stands now, one village in Mbaukwu has been cut off”.
However, another Facebook user, Chudy James wrote, “Wow nice one better late than never. The Ebonyi state government did the same three years ago with bigger SUV. I guess the misunderstanding with Arthur Eze N’ Ukpo triggered this. Sometimes, it’s good to fight, the Ezes are the ultimate winners in all these power tussle”.
