Governor of Imo State, Hope Uzodimma, has warned ministries, departments and agencies (MDAs) over alleged extortion of members of the public and abuse of the collection of revenue. He said his hammer would soon descend on them.
The governor said the reports from ministries, departments and agencies of government over continued harassment of hapless members of the public, particularly petty traders, have continued to question the integrity of those entrusted with the responsibility of managing the MDAs.
A statement by the chief press secretary and media adviser to the governor, Oguwike Nwachuku, said that Uzodimma’s warning is against the backdrop of a trending voice message on social media alleging extortion of petty traders operating with umbrella shades in Owerri by those believed to be agencies of government.
While the officials of the Owerri Capital Development Authority (OCDA) were linked to the voice message, the management of the body has distanced itself from the allegation, insisting that their mandate does not include collection of fees on the streets.
A message from the general manager of OCDA, Hon Franklin Nkem Nzewodo, did not only frown at the trending voice mail, but saw it as an orchestrated ploy to undermine his office and good job they are doing.
Nzewodo said: “The management of Owerri Capital Development Authority (OCDA) has frowned at insinuations from interested parties who go about creating the impression that the body collects money from vendors on the streets of Owerri”.
