Shoddy jobs: Umahi orders Ebonyi lawmakers to refund contract funds on road projects to Govt.

 

.It’s political witch-hunt says, Hon Nwuruku

 

 

BY CLEMENT NNACHI /ABAKALIKI

 

Governor David Umahi of Ebonyi State, has berated the Lawmaker representing Ikwo North Constituency in the State House of Assembly Engr Humphrey Nwuruku,  over the shoddy execution of Enyibichiri-Nwida road awarded by the government.

 

The State Chief Executive has ordered the Lawmaker to refund the contract money back to state coffers, due to shoddy execution of the drainage contract.

 

Umahi issued the directive at Onuebonyi Echara, headquarters of Ikwo Local government area, during a Town Hall  meeting with Stakeholders/Leaders of Thought  of Ikwo Clan.

 

The State Chief Executive  vowed  to recover the finds paid to the Lawmaker for the execution of the drainage project.

 

The Town Hall meeting was convened to drum support for the State All Progressive Congress /APC Governorship Candidate Hon Francis Ogbonna Nwifuru, and all other candidates of the party in the March 18th Gubernatorial and State Assembly elections.

 

The Governor alleged that Hon Nwuruku, who is equally  seeking re-election  to the State House of Assembly, under the platform of the People’s Democratic Party /PDP,  diverted the money released to him by the State government, in respect  of a road drainage contract in  the constituency.

 

According to him, I gave him the drainage contract, he diverted the funds*, he emphasized.

 

He insisted that the Lawmaker must be held to account for the funds released to him back to the State government.

 

“I want to assure you that I will complete the Ring Road project before I leave office in May 29th and Ikwo people have a solid road in it*

 

“The Construction of your road, Enyibichiri – Nwida road, /drainage contract, has been stalled by your present Lawmaker Hon Humphrey Nwuruku*

 

“I examined what he did on the road, and I insisted he must refund that money, and he must refund it.”

 

Governor Umahi enjoined  the people of Ikwo clan to vote the governorship Candidate of APC Hon  Nwifuru and other candidates of APC during the elections.

 

Earlier in an address, the Chairman of Ikwo Local Government Area Barrister Sunday Nwankwo, congratulated Governor Umahi on his Senatorial victory in the February 25th polls.

 

“I want to assure your Excellency that Ikwo people will vote massively for Hon Francis Nwifuru, and the candidates of APC in the forthcoming pollls.

 

Reacting, the Lawmaker representing Ikwo North Constituency Engr Humphrey Nwuruku, denied ever receiving any funds from the State government.

 

Hon Nwuruku maintained that the road contract was awarded to China-Zongha Limited, and he was only the Chairman House of Assembly Committee on Works.

 

” This is just political witch-hunt, this is because I refused to decamp to APC , I insisted I will remain in the People’s Democratic Party (PDP)”

 

In attendance during the Town Hall meeting included the State deputy  Governor Kelechi Igwe, Chief Okeagu Ogada, Ambassador Franklin Ogbuewu, Hon Odunwa , women groups and youth organization among others.