Okorocha promises to continue free education, blasts striking IMSU lecturers

Imo State Governor, Owelle Rochas Okorocha, has restated his intention to continue his administration's the free Education policy despite economic constraints.

Okorocha, who just returned from an overseas trip, criticized striking lecturers of the Imo State University (IMSU).

He said their action was uncalled for, given that his government had always lived up to its responsibilities.

The governor also pointed out that the lecturers were only owed salaries for a month and a half whereas some state governments owe up to 10 months in salaries.

READ: Lecturers tackle Okorocha over unpaid salaries, say no pay, no work

Okorocha explained that the nation's economic woes under the present government for the inability of some states to fulfil their obligations.

"The economy of our nation now is in its worse shape than ever, God will give the incoming President the wisdom to battle with all the challenges awaiting him especially the diminishing resources, coupled with dwindling and falling oil prices, all have made payment of salaries and execution of government activities difficult for some state," he said.

The governor said the strike action would be looked into in order to ascertain if it was not an act of sabotage or blackmail.

According to him, the economic situation in the country requires sacrifice.

"The condition calls for a period of absolute sacrifice by cutting down the cost of governance at least by 60% to be able to cope with the present condition."

Okorocha asked for the continued support of the people, promising that his second term in office would give them more dividends of democracy.