John Kalu, who previously served as the Commissioner for Information, Trade & Investment under the administration of former Abia State Governor, Okezie Ikpeazu, has provided additional insights into the contentious forensic audit report released by the government of Alex Otti.
Kalu, shedding light on some of Ikpeazu’s accomplishments during his tenure, offered a detailed account of the conception and implementation of the airport project. These details were shared through a statement issued to the media on Sunday.
Kalu addressed a publication by the “Whistler” Blog purportedly linked to Governor Alex Otti’s ally, Chief James Chijioke Ume (Koos) of Abam in Arochukwu LGA of Abia State. The publication continued the media onslaught against former Governor Okezie Ikpeazu, echoing unsubstantiated claims previously made by Governor Otti in the United States.
“I was a member of the Abia State Executive Council (Exco) and served as the Honorable Commissioner for Information when discussions about constructing the Abia Airport began during the Exco meeting on September 24, 2020. Based on the presentation made at the Exco meeting, we approved the project and sanctioned the borrowing of N10 billion from UBA Plc as the initial investment by the state. Repayment was to be facilitated through our FAAC account with the bank, considering the financial constraints due to the COVID-19 pandemic,” Kalu elucidated.
See Also: EFCC Arrests Theodore Orji Over ₦48 Billion Security Votes
Following Exco’s approval, the processes for the project commenced. Kalu emphasized that records with the current Secretary to the State Government, Prof Kenneth Kalu, an appointee of Governor Otti, could corroborate his assertions.
Governor Ikpeazu subsequently engaged with executives of the Abia State Traditional Rulers Council, who suggested diverting the funds allocated for the airport project towards improving internal roads in the state. Consequently, on November 13, 2020, Governor Ikpeazu briefed the state executive council about the traditional rulers’ request, leading to Exco’s decision to suspend the airport project and allocate the earmarked funds for road projects.
On November 17, 2020, Governor Ikpeazu officially announced the suspension of the airport project via his social media platform, underscoring the shift in focus towards road infrastructure.
The Ministry of Works, under Governor Ikpeazu’s administration, selected Ferotex Construction Company, a reputable indigenous firm, as the lead company in the contractor-financier arrangements with UBA. This approach, not uncommon in the public sector, aimed to streamline payments to contractors.
Kalu provided a detailed breakdown of payments made to various contractors from the N10 billion allocation, emphasizing that the listed payments were not exhaustive. He highlighted the need for a comprehensive audit to verify fund allocation and project execution.
The breakdown included the following:
i. China Zonghghao for Osisioma flyover Aba & ABSUTH Road Aba – N800,000,000
ii. Trackcare Construction Company: for Aba-owerri road Aba (Brass to Osisioma junction segment, Ururuka road Aba, Afor Ibeji/ Ubakala Umuahia, Stella Maris Catholic Church, etc -N1,035,000,000
iii. Ferrotex: Aba-owerri road (Railway junction-Brass junction segment) Aba, Opobo Junction-Ukpakiri Ogbor Hill Aba,,Uratta Ugwuati, Itungwa -N1,500,000,000
iv. Sannan Jandon: Okigwe road Aba, Milverton road Aba, Cemetery-Eziukwu road Aba-N450,000,000
v. Ecklean: Osusu road Aba-N 200 000,000
vi. Cosmos Construction: Immaculate Avenue Umungasi Aba-N150,000,000
vii. Setraco/Hartland, Port Harcourt Road Aba, N1,000,000,000
viii. Rockwaters, Ohanku Road Aba, Okpu Umuobo Aba -N650,000,000
ix. MOW: Ebenma Street Aba, Ovom street Aba- N1, 130,000,000
x. Zubbalco, MBUBO Umuakwu,-N200,000,000
xi. Tunnel End: Umuene – Obikabia, Umuojima,- umuokiri- Ekeakpara, umuakatawom-Eziama- ohanze -N780,000,000
xii. Paceo Carretera: Agalaba Ring road-N312,000,000
xiii. Delhope: Umuobiakwa-Owo road, Obingwa, Federal medical center internal road, Aba road Umuahia (GG-shoprite) -N557,000,000
xiv. MOW: umuobiakwa internal roads,Nbawsi internal roads, Desilting of Aba big gutter – N325,000,000
xv. BOK: Agbama Ring road Umuahia-N100,000,000
xvi. Crystalkleen: York/Jubile/Nicholas street Aba -N30,000,000
xvii. Pumeco Construction: Zero porthole along Umuahia roads -N353, 000,000
xviii. Yodel: Afrata road, Umuahia- N100,000,000
xix. E&P Contracting: Trinity college road Umuahia -N60,000,000
xx. Obitex development company Ltd: Ohuhu road from Isiokata, diversion from the gully erosion at isiokata to umuawa ohuhu to Nkwoegwu.-N125,000,000
xxi. Smutedge: Rehabilitation of failed portions Umuikaa-umuenne, -N200,000,000
xxii. Ministry of Public Utilities: Streetlighs -N100,000,000
Addressing concerns about legislative approval for fund reallocation, Kalu asserted that no additional approval was necessary since the road projects were already included in the approved budget. He expressed confidence that UBA Plc would have ensured compliance with any legal requirements before disbursing funds.
Regarding the notion of virement, Kalu clarified that it applies to transferring funds between financial accounts, necessitating both the airport and road projects to be included in the 2020 budget. However, he couldn’t confirm if the airport project was in the budget when Exco approved it, thus precluding the need for virement.
Kalu criticized the leak of forensic audit documents to a blogger by Governor Otti, stressing the importance of official government platforms for such disclosures. He emphasized Governor Ikpeazu’s willingness to cooperate with legitimate anti-graft agencies but questioned the legitimacy of media trials orchestrated by political rivals.
In conclusion, Kalu urged Governor Otti to prioritize accountability and refrain from vilifying opposition figures. He highlighted discrepancies in Otti’s governance, including alleged financial mismanagement and failure to address pressing issues in the state.
Source: DailyPost