N1bn fraud rocks Asaba Township Stadium project

The sum of N1billion released by the Delta State Government for construction works of Asaba Township Stadium Project has been misappropriated. This authoritative. Reliable sources told our reporter that the whopping fund had allegedly been misappropriated by the supposedly trusted handlers of the project works; the contractors, and the sports commission officials.

Investigation revealed that the State Governor, Ifeanyi Okowa had expressed serious anger over the way and manners the project earlier billed to be completed in April, 2018 had abysmally failed, and as such, had constituted a 3-man probe panel to look into the fraud.

One of the Governor’s aides who did not want his name in the print, but confirmed the fraud to our reporter disclosed that the committee is headed by a seasoned administrator (name withheld) who is expected to summit his findings within two weeks.

It was reliably gathered that those allegedly fingered in the fraud include: a former Sports Commissioner in the State (name withheld), the contractors, among others.

But the Chief Press secretary to the Governor, Mr. Charles Amagwu in a swift reaction, said the Governor was determined to get to the root of the orchestrated fraud, especially with the purported shift in the project’s completion

Sources said the contractors in shameless manners, had last Monday allegedly demanded for the sum of N2.5 billion to enable them complete the project; an alleged demand that had reportedly angered the Governor the more, and had ordered the project completed to specification of earlier date in the month of April, 2018.

Expectedly, the Asaba township project was awarded by the state government in the sum of N3billion to enable it host the African Youths Championship Competition in August 2018, and N1billion released as mobilization fee.

Governor Okowa had told journalists at a recent media parley in Asaba the hosting of the African Youths Championship Competition will afford the state the opportunity to showcase its potentials in the Africa region

But further investigation revealed that this was not the first time money approved for the stadium was misappropriated.

As it were, the development of Asaba Capital Territory, construction of Asaba International Airport, and Asaba/Ughelli Road Projects’ Funds were allegedly misappropriated by a constructing firm, ULO Construction Company who has denied the allegation.

Also, the World Bank Assisted Water Project with funds running into billions of naira, was misappropriated and up until now, nothing done to bring the culprits to book

With the contributing pension funds in the state hitherto cannot be accounted for, it was learnt that pensioners have vowed to punish those who were responsible for the missing funds, and had allegedly consulted witch-doctors who last weekend rained curses including performing some rituals at various junctions in Asaba, and its environs.

Meanwhile, more commissioners at the State Executive Council are to go soon. Sources close to the Governor said the affected are those that have failed in their responsibility to perform beyond expectations, particularly contributing to the giant strides of Okowa led administration, and his SMART Agenda

The second round of reshuffle our informed sources said, will pave ways for the Governor to appoint those he believes will pilot the affairs of the state effectively. It would be recalled that Dr. Nicholas Azinge, and Chief Dan Okenyi were recently sacked by the Governor for failure to perform their duties effectively. Dr. Azinge and Chief Dan Okenyi were former Commissioners for Health, and Arts, Culture and Tourism respectively.