Following the shocking revelation made by Abia State Governor, Dr Alex Otti concerning a missing airport, the Foundation for Environmental Rights, Advocacy and Development, FENRAD, a pro-democracy and environmental rights advocacy group, has written the incumbent governor.
Otti had at the Johns Hopkins School of Advanced International Studies in the US, where he delivered a lecture on 19 April on the topic, “State of Governance and Economic Transition: Meeting the challenges,” accused his predecessor, Okezie Ikpeazu, of allocating N10 billion to a non-existent airport project in the state.
He also raised awareness of certain contract scams, to the tune of ₦107.2 billion, perpetrated by the past administration led by former Governor Ikpeazu.
Otti had claimed he obtained the information from a report of a forensic audit carried out by a firm contracted by his administration.
It also volunteered to join in any form of campaign, advocacy, and even legal action that can serve justice to Abians.
“To us as a group of rightists, it comes as a shock, bearing in mind the public debt profile of the state, including an inherited backlog of unpaid gratuities, pensions, and salaries Your Excellency met upon assuming office on May 29, 2023.
“Again, coming directly from Your Excellency, the allegations could be read as the official position of the state on the matter. This is the reason FENRAD is willing to probe deeper into the issue.
“As a foundation working on diverse rights sectors, including advocating fiscal prudence, open governance, and budgeting, FENRAD does not recall seeing the alleged airport contract sum (₦10.2 billion) on any budget heading in all the appropriations of the past administration.
“There were no advertisements on national dailies, as is the law nor was there a listing on the state official website.
“The meaning to us as a foundation demanding prudent management of the lean Abia commonwealth is that such crime, if it had happened, would indeed require financial experts, like the auditing firm whose services Your Excellency engaged,” it said.
The group expressed delight that an end has come to an era in Abia State, when political dynasties awarded contracts to cronies or companies owned by family members through, mostly, noncompetitive tender.
“It is a thing of joy today that construction giants like Julius Berger are working in the state. We could not be happier,” it said.
The letter requested the governor to publish all records of the forensic audit report on the contract scams and ensure that there are no sacred cows so that the political system of the state will change for the better.
It read; “It is known in evidence law that ‘he who asserts must prove.’
“Now that Your Excellency has asserted, the burden of proof lies with him to also, in the interest of Abians – most of whom were denied basic infrastructure, livelihoods, pensions, and perquisites in the intervening period – publish all records of the forensic audit report on the contract scams.
“We trust that Your Excellency will not spare any sacred cow, aware and convinced that such records are meant for the public, especially Abians, as the collective owners of the alleged looted patrimony.
“As a group familiar with procurement laws, the Foundation urges Your Excellency to publish all available records on the alleged contract scams, including the one on the proposed Abia airport, to enable it to legitimately pursue the matter as a group committed to transparency in the public finance sector and fiscal discipline.
