By Sunday Ogli, Makurdi
GROUP under the aegis of Benue Coalition for Democracy, BCD, has called on the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, to probe the Minister of Special Duties and Inter-governmental Affairs, Senator George Akume for failing to continue work on Makurdi-Gboko and Gboko-Katsina-Ala roads.
The group made the call in a statement signed by its president, Ternenge Bendega and made available to newsmen in Makurdi on Saturday.
BCD says it has it on good authority that the road contracts were given to Sen. Akume.
The group equally wants the anti graft body to probe the minister for allegedly diverting the sum of two billion naira takeoff grant for Federal Polytechnic, Wanune as compensation to himself.
However, in a swift reaction, spokesperson for the minister, Dr. Aondona Mkor, in a phone chat, described the allegations as false, malicious and a deliberate move to drag the image of the minister in the mud.
But Bendega said his claims are incontrovertible: “We have it on good authority that the contract for the road from Makurdi to Gboko, and Gboko to Katsina-Ala was given to Akume. The condition of that road is an eyesore as we speak. The part that leads from Yandev junction in Gboko to Katsina-Ala is the worst road in Nigeria at present. If you use your vehicle on that road, you must take the car for thorough service.
“Akume is said to have diverted the contract funds to his private pocket and the road project has been abandoned. Remember that the Makurdi-Gboko-Katsina-Ala Road (Yandev-Katsina-Ala Section) was among the 10 roads across the country that the Federal Executive Council approved and awarded contracts for construction in May 2019. The 10 roads were awarded for the aggregate sum of N169.74 billion. Akume was given the job of the road in his home state. Others who got similar road contracts in their states have since completed and delivered successfully.
“The fraud called Federal Polytechnic Wannune must also be investigated. The Federal Government released N2 billion as a take-off grant for the Polytechnic. However, nothing has been done on the site apart from the billboard erected by the roadside. Reports have it that Akume has used the N2 billion to compensate himself for losing the 2019 election. This means that he gave his people a Greek gift.
“We expect EFCC to begin the probe of Akume within the next one week to demand explanations on the Makurdi – Katsina-Ala road contract and the Federal Polytechnic, Wannune,” Bendega stated.
In spite of the above claims, Dr. Mkor said work is ongoing on both projects while some staffs have been employed for the polytechnic.
“This allegation wicked and malicious. Is Senator Akume the Minister of Works? He has nothing to do with the road contract. This is a delibrate move to tarnish his image.
“The Makurdi-Gboko and Gboko-Katsina-Ala road was not contracted to the minister, however work is going on there. Work is also going on on at the Federal Polytechnic,” Dr. Mkor said.
