Anambra State Govt negotiating with FG over N43 billion debt-Deputy Governor

 The Deputy Governor of Anambra State,  Dr Nkem Okeke, has  raised hope of the Federal Government re-reimbursing the State of N43 billion being the amount the State spent on Federal Projects.

Dr Okeke who spoke yesterday in Awka when the Committtee for Nigeria Union of Journalaists’ Week paid him a courtesy call  said that talks were  ongoing between the state and federal government for the repayment of the money.

Okeke  expressed hope  that the federal government will listen to their pleas  to pay the money, which he said if deployed for execution of projects will go a long way in transforming the state.

“As you can see, work has commenced in several parts  of the state, following the end of the rains. The State Executive Council met yesterday  and what dominated the meeting was our preparation for Christmas.A lot of Anambra sons and daughters will be coming home from far and wide, and our primary concern is to make sure that the state is conducive for their stay. So in the area of infrastructure and security, we are working hard.I hope that when the people come and see all that the governor has been able to put in place, they will see reason why he should go for a second term in office,” Okeke said.

The deputy governor  charged journalists to be objective and factual in their reportage of issues even in the face of   constructive criticism.

He said “as journalists, you owe the society a great deal. You must strive to maintain balanced reporting all the time, and ensure to verify the information you send out before doing so.”

Okeke however decried the recent embarrassment of the state governor, Chief Wiillie Obiano by some people who deliberately took pictures of a private jet belonging to a former vice president who visited the state,and tagged  it as being chattered by the governor for a trip to Abuja.

Earlier, the chairman of the Press week committee, Mrs. Joy Mbachi told the deputy governor that the week was set aside by journalists to engage in other activities including sporting events t as ways of relaxing from their busy schedule.

Mbachi said this year’s press week would hold from11th December to 18^th December 2016 with a church service and would be climaxed with lecture and award ceremony.