How we disbursed the Norwegian 1.1 billion World Bank loan – Officials’ responses to the Abia Government Committee
Mr. Ejem Kaluu, Director of Computer Services in the Abia State Ministry of Budget and Planning, and Mr. Uma Ukaonu, former Director-General of Debt Management in the Ministry of Finance, appear before the Abia State Judicial Commission of Inquiry into the Recovery of Government Properties, conniving and withdrawing millions of naira. Funds to respond to AN Nwachukwu’s claims regarding.
Another petition filed by the panel challenged the unjustified removal of Ms. Joyce Chidozie Ubani as head of NG Cares and the non-implementation of the NG Cares project in Abia State.
Ejem Kalu, responding to the board’s cross-examination to the panel, said that Joyce Chidoji Ubani never served in the State Care Coordination Unit (SCCU), which was appointed by the World Bank. He explained that he had given instructions to the state to do so. He appeared.
Kalu said the initial funding amounted to N1.1 billion after the successful documentation and implementation of the 86% NG Cares Units project in Abia State, which he said was disbursed to six platforms.
According to Kalu, the six platforms included cash transfers with N62 million, labor-intensive public works with N61 million, CSDA with N280 million, FADAMA with N517 million, SCCU with N142,980,244, I won 60 naira.
He said the N1.1 billion from the World Bank was used wisely for its intended purpose.
Mr Uma Ukaonu, in his response, said the funds were released and withdrawn from the ministry through the signatures of the Permanent Secretaries in charge of projects and programs as Director-General of Debt Management and Director-General of Finance in the Ministry.
Ukaonu said N10 million was realized in 2022 from companies partnering with the Abia State government, adding that the funds obtained from these partnerships were paid directly into the government coffers.
In another matter before the Judiciary Committee, the immediate past general manager of Methodological Complex Nig LTD, Mr. Henry Nwaijike, alleged that equipment and other machinery stored in the company’s warehouse were looted by unknown hoodlums who invaded the facility. claimed to have been done.
He said he had informed security authorities of the missing equipment and machinery and denied looting any missing government property.
However, Spokesperson for the Abia State Ministry of Trade and Commerce, which is the petitioner in the case, Onyebuchi Nwankpa, a former general manager of the methodological complex, explains how equipment and machinery were looted during the peak hours. said it should. his takeover.
Also, the Counsel to the Abia State Judicial Council, Mrs. Enobong Okafor, said in a letter dated March 5, 2022 by Johnson Onuoha that Mr. He said it has been shown that this has been done. Complex Nig LTD, Ada Chukwu.
Source: dailypost.ng