Goal.com

The Imo government has vowed to pay up the balance of the Naze Millionaires' sign-on fees and other entitlements before their last match

Imo State governor, Owelle Rochas Okorocha has promised to approve the payment of the remaining balance of the 2012 season sign-on fees of the players and officials of Heartland before the last match of the current season.

Governor Okorocha failed to make any financial pledge to the victorious Heartland of Owerri which has won the last two editions of the coveted Cup.

The Imo State governor in a brief reception held for the team at the Sam Mbakwe Expanded Executive Chamber, Owerri stressed that there was no need making promises that will not be kept.

He however expressed joy at the back to back conquest of the Naze Millionaires and noted that the team's outstanding entitlements would be dealt with first before new pledges would be made.

He added that he invited Heartland players and officials to formally welcome them and appreciate the victory they had over Lobi and that a convenient date would be picked to honour the team.

Speaking at the short but colourful ceremony Okorocha said: " This government now will not make promises that we cannot fulfil. We have a lot of outstanding issues with you financially and those issues we must sort out first before we can make any further commitments.

"Before you went for the match I had approved the N43 million which was supposed to represent some percentage of the sign-on fees and I am sure that matter had been dealt with once and for all.

"I am aware that I have made a promise to you about a bus but to my greatest surprise, this morning I was reminded the bus has not been released.

"I remembered I said that the old bus must be given to the Heartland Supporters Club and the new bus to you. It is not for them, it is for the image of the State," Okorocha said.

The governor also charged Heartland to translate their domestic form to Africa and ensure that they win the CAF Confederations Cup this term after their third round elimination this year by AC Leopards of Congo.

Heartland defended the cup they won last year at the expense of Enyimba of Aba again this year when they recovered from a goal down to defeat Lobi Stars 2-1 on August 26 in Lagos.

Last year when they achieved the feat for the first time to end a cup drought of over 18 years, each player and official got N1 million but this term, Imo government said that would only come at a later date.