N10bn allocated for Abia airport was used for roads – Ikpeazu

Dr. Okezie Ikpeazu, the former governor of Abia State, has responded to allegations made by his successor, Dr. Alex Otti, regarding the utilisation of the N10 billion earmarked for the Abia Airport project during his tenure.

In response to Otti’s allegations,

Ikpeazu clarified that the funds were not embezzled or diverted but were redirected to other projects after deliberation by the State Executive Council. Traditional rulers allegedly advised against pursuing the airport project due to the proximity of airports in neighbouring states and the urgent need for road repairs within Abia.

Through his former Commissioner for Information, Chief John Okiyi Kalu, Ikpeazu provided a breakdown of how the N10 billion was allocated to various road construction initiatives across Abia State.

According to Okiyi’s list: 

China Zonghghao for Osisioma flyover Aba & ABSUTH Road Aba got N800,000,000. Trackcare Construction Company for Aba-Owerri Road Aba (Brass to Osisioma junction segment, Ururuka road Aba, Afor Ibeji/ Ubakala Umuahia, Stella Marris Catholic Church, etc got N1,035,000,000.

Ferrotex Construction Company for Aba-Owerri Road (Railway Junction-Brass junction segment) Aba, Obohia Road Aba, Opobo Junction-Ukpakiri Ogbor-Hill Aba, Uratta Ugwuati, Itungwa, Rehabilitation of failed Ururuka got N1,500,000,000.

Shannah Jardon Construction Company for Okigwe Road Aba, Milverton Road Aba, Cemetery-Eziukwu Road Aba got N450,000,000. Ecklean: Osusu road Aba-N 200,000,000, Cosmos Construction Company for Immaculate Avenue Umungasi Aba got N150,000,000 while Setraco/Hartland for Port-Harcourt Road got N1,000,000,000.

Rockwaters for Ohanku Road Aba, Okpu Umuobo Aba got N650,000,000, MOW for Ebenma Street Aba, and Ovom Street Aba got N1, 130,000,000. Zubbalco for MBUBO Umuakwu got N200,000,000.

Further details alleged that “Tunnel End Construction Company got N780,000,000 for the construction of Umuene-Obikabia, Umuojima-umuokiri- Ekeakpara, Umuakatawom-Eziama-Ohanze while Paceo Carretera company got – N312,000,000 for the construction of Agalaba Ring Road in Obingwa.”

The list contained a few more road projects reportedly awarded using the airport fund. Possibly referring to WHISTLER’s investigation reports, Okiyi challenged Otti to publish the forensic audit report instead of “rushing to a blogger to publish an indicting report against his former principal”.

Ikpeazu, on his part, criticised Otti for allegedly attempting to deflect attention from his administration’s expenditure, which purportedly included significant sums allocated to research and nonexistent projects. He urged Otti to focus on delivering tangible results for the people of Abia.

In his statement, Ikpeazu said,

Accounting for the N10 billion, no dime was diverted. Otti is diverting attention from his quarterly report, which captured him spending N3 billion on research and non-existent projects.

Why is it that he is using the same Ferrotex contractor, who he accused of receiving N10 billion from us for major contracts today? What stopped him or his auditors from asking Ferrotex for explanations? We have decided to respond to him with evidence of jobs done. The time of truth has come.

The controversy surrounding utilising the N10 billion airport fund is still unfolding.

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