Johnkennedy Uzoma, Owerri
Governor Emeka Ihedioha of Imo State may have to run the affairs of the state from his personal house, until some renovations are made and certain critical equipment befitting of Government House are purchased.
The reason is not far-fetched: the edifice is currently in a high state of disrepair while critical facilities and equipment are needed to make it what it should be.
The Nigerian Xpress gathered that necessary facilities, items and office equipment that ought to be inside the Office of the Governor and other offices in the Government House have been removed by unknown persons.
It was also gathered that from the gate, which is the major entrance to the Government House to the Governor’s Lodge, and many others, were totally tampered with resulting to illegal removal of useful items, equipment and facilities from the Government House.
Confirming the situations, Governor Emeka Ihedioha, during his visit to the seat of power, on Friday, barely 48 hours after he was sworn in as the governor, expressed big shock over what he saw on ground in the Government House.
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The governor, who addressed journalists after he was taken round by some of the political aides of the immediate past governor, said that there was need for repair work and rebuilding of the place before he could formerly come into his office.
Some of the appointees of the former governor such as the Principal Secretary to former Governor Okorocha, Mr. Emeka Duru, also confirmed to what the governor said to the newsmen.
He accepted before newsmen that there was need for repair works and replacement of destroyed facilities and equipment which could take a while before they are put in place. Hence, it would take for some time before the governor would resume work there.
Before now, there had been unconfirmed reports that government properties had been taken away by some people in the state.
Some other areas where government properties were said to have been looted included the International Convention Centre, Owerri, Imo Transport Company, Office of the Deputy Governor, Office of the Wife of the Governor, among others.
