Local Government Councilors from the 304 Electoral Wards in Imo State are said to be facing serious financial challenges occasioned by the alleged excessive interference in their affairs and the disbursement of the funds accruable to the 27 Local Government Councils by Governor Hope Uzodinma.

Some of the Councilors who spoke on the condition of anonymity to avoid being witch hunted, expressed disappointment about the way and manner the Governor allegedly hijacks and unilaterally disburses the local government funds without giving the Councilors opportunity to make  input.

According to them, “the Governor hijacks and disburses the funds even without holding JAAC meetings. It has got to a point that we don’t even have any say in how the funds are disbursed. Neither are we consulted. As we speak to you now, we don’t even know who pays our salaries. The Chairman himself does not even know who pays or from where his salary is paid. As elected Councilors we are completely in the dark about how local government funds are disbursed”.

It was recently gathered that it is the same Terrence who allegedly messed up the modalities for paying salaries and pensions in the state civil service that is also responsible for the payment of salaries to Councillors in the 27 Local Government Areas in the state despite the public outcry elicited by his complicated and unprofessional approach to issues. 

“Terrence is said to be saddled with the responsibility despite the fact that he is neither a civil servant nor has any experience in related areas. His only qualification for the job is that he is Governor Uzodinma’s kinsman and confidant”.

There are reports that some Councilors were recently seen collecting revenue from traders in the market at Ideato. When confronted, they said, the money they are paid cannot be compared to what they spent during their campaigns.

“We  have asked the Chairman on several occasions to tell us what happens to all the funds that accrue to the Council. He refused to open up. The only option available to us is to find ways of raising money to take care of our needs and those of our respective families pending when the issue of financial autonomy as ordered by the Supreme Court will be holistically addressed”.