AKHA treasury emptied * for Akpabio’s brother

A massive fraud of monumental proportions has engulfed the Akwa Ibom state House of Assembly if the recent drama playing out in the legislature is anything to go by.

Nsentip Akpabio, a brother to Akwa Ibom State governor, Chief Godswill Akpabio is at the centre of the money scam that has created bad blood and disaffection in the Sam Ikon led House of Assembly. 

The said Nsentip was awarded a contract to erect a parameter fence round the State House of Assembly sometime ago but lo and behold, he is yet or has refused to carry out the said job. Checks by our reporter revealed that Nsentip may have absconded with the money that was voted for the contract. The contract sum, our paper learnt is in the region of 30m naira.

We learnt from a very reliable source that the money has been paid to him in full even without him doing the said job

 

Those who bared their mind on the issue posited that it was due to Godswill Akpabio’s influence that the money was paid to Nsentip in full. 

Sources noted that the matter has created serious tension and uproar among members of the 5th Assembly so much that many have raised eye brow over the huge sum that has gone into the failed fencing project. 

Members are so embittered by the ugly development which has led to blames being directed to the leadership of the House of Assembly with indications emerging that the leadership of the House is working in connivance with the powers that be to compound issues.  They have branded the leadership of the House as being weak and unstable in matters concerning the welfare of the larger House and have instead aligned with some forces to cast mud on the legislature.

Their grouse, our paper learnt stems further  from the fact that they are yet to be paid their salaries and due entitlements including that of the staff, among others. Our reporter further gathered that the money was paid to Nsentip on December, 24th on the orders of Chief Godswill Akpabio owing to what observers attributed to the fraternal affinity that bounds them. To further compound issues, inside sources say that the said money was deducted from the State House account even when that was the only money in the coffers. 

Many have frowned at the development which they consider as a slap on the 5th Assembly for emptying the treasury for a contract that have gone awry.  Our reporter learnt further that even impress have not been paid to the members, yet a mind boggling sum of 30m naira has been wasted on the altar of brotherly affinity.  The Works Committee, the ministry that is supposed to supervise and ensure that the job is done have reportedly failed to do so as, sources say, they are working in concert with superior powers to frustrate the project. 

Their work, we learnt is to ensure that such projects are carried out to the letter but they have failed woefully, a development an impeccable source said is most unfortunate and sad.  The Works committee is chaired by one Emmanuel Akpan. As it is, no one is certain of what will happen next as far as the issue is concerned but we gathered that there’s uncertainty and angst among members of the state House of Assembly which if not halted may lead to a serious battle between members and leadership of the House of Assembly.
Efforts to get in touch with the leadership of the House to verify the contract sum proved abortive.