-Express Worry Over Fate Of Staff In Establishment Employ
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Orluzurumee Youth Assembly, the apex umbrella socio-cultural organization of youths in the 12 Local Government Areas in Orlu zone, has called on Governor Hope Uzodinma, to as a matter of urgency halt attempts by some agents of his administration to demolish part of the All Seasons Hotel, Owerri, owned by Evangelist Mike Ikeokwu, an illustrious son of Orlu zone, who, incidentally, is a chieftain of the Peoples Democratic Party PDP.
The group in a press release signed by Comrade Thaddeus Emejuru and Comrade Pascal Chibueze as National President and National Secretary respectively, condemned the plot which according to them will adversely affect youths of the state, most of who will lose their jobs, if the hotel is demolished.
The release also stated that the onslaught against Evangelist Ikeokwu, who owns the hotel which is seen by many as an act of vendetta, does not portray the Uzodinma-led administration in good light, adding that the Governor should, on the contrary channel more efforts towards wooing and encouraging prospective investors to the state, rather than suffocating and scaring away the few daring ones that defied the unfriendly business climate, including insecurity and other challenges to operate in the state.
The release dated December, 10, 2023 reads, “Following reports received by the Orluzurumee Youth Assembly over the plot by agents of Imo State Government to demolish part of the All Seasons Hotels building, owned by an illustrious son of Orlu Zone, Evang. Mike Ikeokwu, we quickly reached out to some of the stakeholders in Orlu Zone who also expressed their worries over the development.
“As the apex socio-cultural group of Orlu youths, we are concerned about the economic effect it will have on the youths who are in the employ of the establishment if such is allowed to happen.
“Regrettably, Imo State’s record on unemployment rate among comity of states is alarming , going by the latest statistics. This, for us should be of great concern to Imo Government and every other prominent and responsible Imolite that means well for the state.
“In as much as we believe that the governor may be unaware of the series of threat on Evang. Mike Ikeokwu, we had hoped and believed that the governor, Senator Hope Uzodinma will channel more effort in wooing more investors to Imo, instead of stifling and scaring existing ones away.
“Many view the onslaught against Ikeokwu as political vindatta. This, if anything to go by, does not speak good of the government.
Rising from an emergency meeting, Orluzurumee Youth Assembly therefore resolved as follows;
“That we congratulate the governor on his re-election and pray God to grant him good health and wisdom to govern our people.
“That the governor should halt further harassment of Ikeokwu by some agents of the government. We want to believe that the governor may not have approved such moves.
“That deliberate effort should be made to encourage Imo people to come home and invest. Thus, policies should be tailored towards making Imo saner and safer for citizens, investors, all and sundry. It is therefore counter productive to keep quiet in the face of this barefaced threat.
“That we have sighted the Certificate of Occupancy issued the All Seasons Hotel by the Ikedi Ohakim administration. We are therefore at a loss as to why the government is insistent on demolishing a section of the hotel.
“That transient power ought to unite us and build a future for our children, rather than divide and create enemies among us. We are one and ephemerals should not be allowed to put a knife against the things that unite us”.
