The Imo State Government has urged the public to disregard an allegation by a news medium that it purchased vehicles worth N2.5b for Government House use without budgetary allocation.
It also described as outright mischief or pure sensationalism the report that those vehicles were for the sole use of Governor Hope Uzodinma, his wife, and the Deputy Governor.
In a statement by the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Information and Strategy, Barr. ( Mrs. ) Oby Amadiobi, the Government noted that if the reporters had been more circumspect, they would have discovered that at the tail end of the document they quoted, it was clearly stated that more than N4b was provided in the 2023 budget for the Ministry of Finance for the purchase of vehicles.
The government noted that it was instructive that the information on the purchase of the vehicles was obtained from the Imo Govt website, a vindication of how Gov Hope Uzodimma has been running a transparent administration.
“Indeed, the so-called scoop was on the state website for all to see. Nothing was hidden. The amount spent and how the money was sourced were clearly stated. Sadly, either because of sheer lethargy and/or mischief, the reporters could not read through the entire document. “the statement added.
The government regretted that the medium set out to deceive and incite members of the public by claiming that the vehicles were for the sole use of the governor, his wife, and the Deputy Governor.
According to the statement, “That was very misleading. When we talk of Government House, we refer to the gamut of departments outside the Ministries. We have SAs and other officials entitled to vehicles. All these departments and agencies are under the office of the governor. So it’s mischievous to have a jaundiced report suggesting that the vehicles are only for the governor, his wife, and the deputy governor”.
The statement noted that a phone call to any of the officials of government would have elucidated the news medium on the process of governance,including the various nomenclature instead of rushing out to publish outright falsehood
“The mere fact that the story abinitio emanated from government’s website means that we have nothing to hide,” the statement insisted.
It called on practising journalists, who have respect for the ethics of the profession, to uphold the truth, balance, and fairness in their reportage.