The Catholic Archbishop of Owerri Ecclesiastical Province, His Grace, Dr. Anthony J. V. Obinna, has criticised Governor Okorocha Of Imo State for lavishing scarce resources on fanfare during Christmas and New Year festivities instead of responding to the more pressing needs of the citizenry.
Archbishop Obinna made the comment while fielding questions from journalists in Owerri, after delivering his 2016 Christmas message.
“The Archbishop in his comment said, around this period of festivity, why so much money is been put into fanfare to entertain the people and guests?, the best thing is to convert this money that goes into fanfare and Christmas lights to the basic needs of the people,” Obinna reasoned.
While saying that it was the reasonable and responsible way of showing empathy for the people, the Catholic cleric, however, argued: “If the government must do something to celebrate Christmas, let it be done moderately and the money converted into responding to the needs of the people.”
It was the Archbishop’s considered opinion that if the people all die, then the state becomes a wilderness because human beings make up society not monuments.
Government can decorate the place moderately, create a sense of Christmas, but let us curtail those events through which, sometimes or oftentimes, money is siphoned or evacuated, depending on the size,” the Archbishop said.
Answering a question on salaries and pensions owed workers and pensioners, Obinna made copious reference to his Christmas message, “Share the pain, share the joy.” “We don’t know what exactly will happen in Imo State, but I am preparing your minds ahead of time. In case you don’t get your salaries as expected, let it be part of the pain we are sharing,” Obinna said.
He appealed to Imo workers and pensioners to retain the Christmas spirit, even if they don’t get their salaries and pensions as and when due.
