Members of Itu Local Government Transition Committee have drawn battle line with the Chairman, Mrs. Elsie Esara over lack of due process in the on-going construction of Etaha Itam Market office complex.
They also accused the chairman of lack of due process and transparency in the administration of Itu LGA.
In a petition signed by three committee members; Hon. Ubong Edem (Supervisor for Works), Hon. Kufre Ema (Supervisor for Special Duties) and Hon. Emem Uboh (Supervisor for Health), and made available to THE INK yesterday, said since they appointed into Itu Local Government Council as Supervisors and assumption of office, they have been discharging their duties based on their assigned portfolios diligently, but the Vodoo administrative style of the incumbent Transition Chairman, Mrs. Else Esara is something that calls for worry.
According to the petition, the administrative style in the management of funds and contracts of the council chairman include; Mismanagement of Public Funds; Usurping the Powers of the Supervisor for Works; Executing Contracts/Projects without following the due process guiding the Local Government Administration and Making decision without the proper reference to the FGPC thereby acting as a sole administrator contrary to the guidelines of Local Administration.
Others are; Refusal to adhere to the advice of the Head of Service and Director of Works on the procedures in managing Itu Local Government Council; (see the attached document) and Deceives and misleads members of the Committee that that Internally Generated Revenue funds meant for the council was used to settle Bills on behalf of the First Lady of our dear State (Akwa Ibom State).
The petition further stated “The council chairman also paid to some stakeholders of Itu Local Government as follows: Senator Anietie Okon, Hon (Prince) idongesit Ituen, Effiong Ebong Okon, Mr. Victor Okon, Dr. Henry Archibong and Mr. Akan Okon
The committee members however prayed “In view of the above, we hereby most humbly invite the relevant government and organs to set up a probe panel to look into the management of funds and Contract Award/Implementation in Itu Local Government Council since assumption of office of Mrs. Elsie Esara as the Transition Chairman of Itu Local Government Council. This will help in the accountability and restore public confidence in the Local Government system.”
According to the petition, “Lack of due process in the on-going construction of Etaha Itam market office complex. This serves as my second internal memo to you. The first tried to draw your attention to the dwindling internally generated revenue (IGR) since you came in as the Transition Committee Chairman. The IGR has contributed to go down even after that memo without any improvement.
I have also observed that construction work has commenced in Etaha Itam Market (construction of Etaha Itam office complex) without due process being followed. Before the project would have started, the Finance and General purpose Committee, Itu Local Government was supposed to have discussed it, approve it along with the government official estimates. The approved government official estimates produced by the Works Department along with the FGPC resolution would have also been sent to the Ministry of Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs for the final approval before embarking on the project.
The next issue is that revenue cannot be generated in the said market or any other market in Itu Local Government Area and claimed to be used in execution of the market office complex without; Paying such revenue into the Council Treasury/Account and a receipt duly issued.
Proposal/estimates presented in writing for approval by the chairman and/or the FGPC and; A voucher raised before the revenue is released for use. The purpose therefore is to inform you that due process and due diligence were not considered in initiation, execution and funding or the project. Consequences
The decision to embark on the said project without following due process could have serious consequences including: Opening the Council to investigation by the EFCC. Lack of accountability, transparency and probity.
Since the project was not captured in the 2016 budget, it is against the operational guidelines. It could also lead to suspicion on the source(s) of funds for the project since Council does not know how the project is funded. Recommendations; To avoid any query from the State House of Assembly, EFCC and/or external auditors, The project should be suspended, Due process should be followed and the source of funds for the project should be disclosed.”
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