The Social Democratic Party, SDP, has called on the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, and the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission, ICPC, to investigate the N9billion investment fund released by the federal government to the Abia State Universal Basic Education Board for the renovation of schools.
The party also asked the anti-corruption agencies to investigate the funds released by donor agencies to the State Ministry of Health for the control of HIV/AIDS and other community-based health projects in the state.
The SDP chairman in Abia state, Hon. Chidi Nwosu made the call on Sunday, while addressing newsmen at a press conference held at the party’s secretariat in Umuahia, the state capital.
He alleged that the N9billion fund has been hijacked by few individuals in the government and expressed worry at the manner the PDP-led administration was allegedly siphoning public funds.
Nwosu, a former lawmaker in the state, challenged the Abia state government to publish or name the contractors and companies handling the projects.
According to him, “The present government in Abia state is flittering away our money, nothing to show on ground”.
“It is only in Abia where the office of Due Process is as idle as graveyard. There is no due process going on here.
“Go and check. Months back, ABSUBEB got N9billion investment fund to renovate schools in the state. Tell me, who are the contractors renovating the schools? Who tendered for what? How many companies are involved in the project?
“Because N9billion to renovate schools would have generated a lot of employment for so many people, but none. Few persons, within few families, have hijacked the fund.
“Nobody is even sure of the quality of work going on. You go to Ministry of Health in Abia, all donor agencies’ funds that came into this ministry, there is nothing to show for it.
“I’m calling on the EFCC and ICPC to quickly round up the Ministry of Health of Abia and Ministry of Public Utilities.
“Funds were budgeted to renovating and providing pipe borne water to Abians, from year to year, none is functioning. And these funds are being injected in the projects.
“Unless, EFCC doesn’t want to work. Let them go to the Abia ministry of Health and Public Utilities to see how much that has been invested in this water projects; how much that has been devoted to HIV project and other community based health projects”.
Efforts by DAILY POST to reach the State Commissioner for Information, Mr. John Okiyi Kalu, for his reaction proved abortive as at the time of filing this report.
Komentar