by Fresh fact has emerged on how the former Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Hon. Emeka Ihedioha and two other persons diverted a whooping sum of N4.1billion meant for road construction and rehabilitation in some parts of Imo state.
The said huge amount of money was contract sums awarded by the Niger Delta Development Commission NDDC for the undertaking of road projects in major towns and communities in Imo state.
According to impeccable sources, the 42km road contract which was awarded to Ihedioha and his cronies in 2011, stretches through to about three local government areas of Okigwe zone, namely; Ihitte Uboma, Ehime Mbano and Okigwe and one local government in Orlu zone, namely, Ohaji- Egbema.
The 27km Okigwe zonal road project, known as the NDDC mega project spans through Amaogoke-Ezeoke-Nsu-Nzerem Ikpem-Okigwe towns.
While the 15km Orlu zonal project spans through Assa – Obile communities of Ohaji Egbema.
The source noted that the Okigwe project which was awarded at the actual cost of N6.4billion was abandoned after the federal government and NDDC had paid and mobilized the contractor to site with about N4.1 billion naira.
The source further revealed that the Orlu zonal road project, which was awarded to FWE Nig ltd, at the cost of 1.1billion was also abandoned with only 2km drains, after more than the 15percent mobilization has been paid to the contractors
Another source who confided in our correspondent lamented the untold sufferings the people of the affected areas were meant to go through as a result of the dilapidated nature of the roads.
While describing the actions of Chief Ihedioha, Chidi Ojinere and Ken Anyanwu as sheer wickedness and deliberate victimization against the people of Imo state, the source wondered why a respectable personality like the former Deputy Speaker would engage in betraying the people he was supposed to protect their interest.
He added: “There is no gain saying the fact that Ihedioha and his accomplices have shared that money meant for the roads. And It’s quite understandable that the money they’ve been throwing around since 2015 in chase of his gubernatorial ambition, as well as in preparation for the much awaited 2019 gubernatorial election in the state is part of the stolen lmo money”.
He further called on National Assembly, the senator representing Orlu zone in the senate, relevant security and anti-corruption agencies to immediately investigate the former Deputy Speaker and his cronies for the purposes of recovering the money and putting it back to it’s original use.