As May 29, 2023 draws nearer by the day, Foundation for Environmental Rights Advocacy and Development, FENRAD, a pro-democracy and environmental rights advocacy group focuses on governance issues as they may have to do with Abia State where after a 24-year hold on political power, the People’s Democratic Party, PDP, first elected in 1999, will be handing instruments of office over to the Labour Party candidate, Dr. Alex Otti, therefore bringing to an end the unwritten contract Abia State has with the PDP (at least for four years depending on court judgement).
As to the transition itself, FENRAD, a non-partisan or non-affiliate of any political interest, aware of the challenges ahead, is not overwhelmed with euphoria nor hopeful. While this is the case, the Foundation observes with dismay what seems to mark the ending of the administration that was ushered in by Abians in 2015 and reelected in 2019.
A pro-people government, in times like that, should be reflective, taking stock on the mandate it has held, including completing specific projects begun under its watch. This, sadly, is not what is playing out in virtually all the subnational arms of government. In the judiciary, FENRAD is aware of an ongoing strike embarked upon by Judiciary Staff Union of Nigeria, JUSUN, Abia State Chapter insisting on the confirmation of Justice Lilian Abai as substantive Chief Judge(Which has been confirmed) and asking for financial Autonomy for the juduciary workers. This strike, FENRAD observed, had ground all court process in the state to a halt such that Abia Governorship Election Tribunal is now sitting in Abuja!
While the JUSUN strike has affected all court proceedings, not even the legislative arm of government is not spared. A week or so ago, there was the news of impeachment and counter-impeachment in what seemed like a speakership tussle in the Seventh Assembly as result of the two different speakers holding sessions at various locations and coming out with diffrerent resoluction which is gradually moving the state to near state of Anarchy. The executive on the other hand has had to deal with account freezing instigated by faceless individual or group which, to an extent, must have restricted access to finance and some other financial dealings. Worst is, there is ongoing issue of salary arrears being owed workers, while the governor and his predecessor engage in needless exchanges over this salary issue. The whole situation is worsened by a statewide strike begun by labour unions in the state which is not letting up, in spite of government’s attempts to curb this. A source claimed that the Ikpeazu-led government is owing staggering arrears of 30 months upwards, even after receiving several bailout and other intervention funds from the center! This, if true, is unacceptable because the civil service is co-implementer of executive policies, whose ministries, departments and agencies (MDAs) also help in the area of agenda setting and administrative support.
FENRAD regrets the ongoing impasse in the three arms of government because there has to be a sitting Chief Judge that will swear in the governor who will later on inaugurate the Eighth (House of) Assembly for Ndị Abia. This whole thing could be a serious impediment to a smooth transition come May 29. FENRAD calls on Governor Okezie Ikpeazu, PhD to, as a matter of urgency, look into the allegation of salary arrears and find a way around them. Every worker deserves pay, in line with the global initiative of “dignity of labour.”
May 29 is two weeks away, and the team of the Governor-elect Dr. Alex Otti still cries out that the outgoing government has not availed it with any handover notes or briefs that will allow Governor-elect Dr. Alex Otti to hit the ground running when finally he assumes office.
While FENRAD urges that all stumbling blocks be removed, the Foundation is worried that allegation of looting of public properties in public institutions days to go of the current administration is making the rounds. Allegations keep coming from all quarters, even the grapevine, that in state-owned institutions like: School of Health Technology, Aba; Abia Nursing School, Amachara; Abia State Government House and elsewhere, equipment and facilities, including vehicles, bought with taxpayers’ money are allegedly being moved by workers and some other unnamed persons. This is a sad development that must not be allowed to stand. Any individual or group that loots assets acquired with state fund must be made to face the law; no two ways about that.
FENRAD urges the governor to look into all the concerns being raised by both political opposition and others and, as the elected governor, see what can be done in ameliorating the situation where such concerns are proven as history, the immortal judge of all mankind, beckons.
Concerning May 29, FENRAD says there must be a level playing ground for the incoming government, and the outgoing must ensure this.
Signed
Comrade Nelson Nnanna Nwafor
Executive Director
Barr. Femisi Akande
Head Corporate Accountability and Human Rights Enforcement.
Foundation for Environmental Rights, Advocacy & Development (FENRAD Nigeria
Tel;/WhatsApp 08033383708,07062949232,
Email; fenradnigeria@yahoo.com
Info.fenradnigeria@gmail.com
Info@fenrad.org.ng.
Website; www.fenrad.org.ng
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Foundation For Environmental Rights,Advocacy & Development(FENRAD)
Plot 101 Jubilee Road,By mosque Street, 2nd Floor,Front ,Aba,Abia State.
SOUTHEAST REGIONAL OFFICE;
Plot 11/13 Ezillo Avenue,Independence Layout,Enugu,Enugu State;
Tel;08033383708,07062949232,08056480504,,
Email;fenradnigeria@yahoo.com,info.fenradnigeria@gmail.com. www.fenrad.org.ng
Facebook@fenradnigeria Twitter@fenradnigeria Skype;@fenradnigeria.