Workers in Imo have accused Raymond Ucheoma, head of service (HoS) lopsidedness following a stampede at the venue of palliatives distribution in the state.
A yet-to-be identified woman was knocked down by a moving vehicle on her way to the palliative distribution venue.
The palliatives donated by Hope Uzodinma, the governor of Imo to workers of the state, was said to have been looted by suspected invaders who caused serious stampede prompting workers to scamper for safety.
The stampede was caused by the systematic delay on the side of Raymond Ucheoma, HoS, who allowed distribution continued to 11pm.
However, the place was flooded with workers, the HoS insisted that distribution would be done by body presence.
A staff in the ministry of Agriculture who was reacting to the incident said the woman was badly injured and rushed to the hospital
The injured woman rushed back to the venue upon receiving the information that distribution would be done by body presence.
She was later got hit by a moving vehicle while crossing the road.
Another staff accused the HoS of lopsidedness, he claimed that many commissions and agencies were not included in the beneficiaries list, contrary to governor’s directives.
Many others were injured during the incident.
“The HoS is only concentrating on ministries without considering some agencies and commissions including local government service commission, House of Assembly Service Commission and so many others, the staff said.
“The Governor eventually arrived for the flag-off, although very late, the workers had already waited for too long and became uneasy,” a source disclosed.
He left around past 6pm.
“One could have thought the Head of Service who was in charge of the distribution would postpone the exercise for tomorrow since it was already late and atmosphere was tensed up. He wouldn’t listen to all entreaties.
“He wasted over 4hours collecting data of ministries and staff, but when he said the distribution would be done by body presence, many workers started calling their people to come. In one hours time, the place was flooded with workers.
“But around 9:15pm, nothing tangible had been done except collection of data, some persons, I don’t know if they came from outside or are workers owing to the impenetrable darkness, pounced on the cartons of vegetables oils and tore them into shreds.
“So many people got injured while struggling to get a hold of the cartons of vegetables oils. Some people were tried to make away with bags of rice were caught by the security men who later came to the place of distribution. Almost half of the full trailer load of vegetable oil was looted by invaders.”
It was however learnt that the remaining portion of the palliatives was distributed the following day being Thursday to workers who were present at work.