By TINA TIMOTHY

In line with the Freedom of Information (FOI) Act of 2011, Foundation for Environmental Rights, Advocacy & Development (FENRAD) Nigeria has requested for the publication of forensic reports on Abia airport and other contract scams to the tune of ₦107.2 billion, allegedly perpetrated by the administration of former Abia State Governor, Okezie Ikpeazu.

In a letter to the Abia State governor, Dr Alex Otti through the Chief of Staff, Abia State Government House, on Sunday, May 5, 2024 signed by its Executive Director, Comrade Nelson Nnanna Nwafor and Head legal Team and Corporate Accountablity, Barr. Femisi Akande, FENRAD expressed willingness “to join in any form of campaign, advocacy, and even legal action that can serve justice to Abians.”

“In line with the Freedom of Information Act of 2011, Foundation for Environmental Rights, Advocacy and Development, FENRAD, a pro-democracy and environmental rights advocacy group based in Abia State writes Your Excellency in respect of the subject matter mentioned hereinabove.

“Following the revelation by Your Excellency in America on certain contract scams, to the tune of ₦107.2 billion, perpetrated by the past administration led by former Governor Okezie Ikpeazu, our curiosity to know everything pertaining to the contract scandal, and to join in any form of campaign, advocacy, and even legal action that can serve justice to Abians grew intensely,” FENRAD wrote.

While expressing joy that construction giants like Julius Berger are now working in the state in place of “cronies or companies owned by family members through, mostly, noncompetitive tender”, FENRAD however maintained that Otti who inherited a public debt profile which included “backlog of unpaid gratuities, pensions and salaries” and since the allegations came from the him, should take urgent action to probe the mismanagement of the state’s ‘lean commonwealth’, adding that ‘he who asserts must prove.’”

Continuing, FENRAD said: “To us as a group of rightists, it comes as a shock bearing in mind the public debt profile of the state, including inherited backlog of unpaid gratuities, pensions and salaries Your Excellency met upon assuming office on May 29, 2023. Again, coming directly from Your Excellency, The allegations could be read as the official position of the state on the matter. This is the reason FENRAD is willing to probe deeper into the issue.

“As a foundation working on diverse rights sectors, including advocating fiscal prudence, open governance and budgeting, FENRAD does not recall seeing the alleged airport contract sum (₦10.2 billion) on any budget heading in all the appropriations of the past administration. There were no advertisements on national dailies, as is the law nor was there listing on the state official website. The meaning to us as a foundation demanding prudent management of the lean Abia commonwealth is that such crime, if it had happened, would indeed require financial experts, like the auditing firm whose services Your Excellency engaged.

“The Foundation is happy about the end of an era when political dynasties in Abia State awarded contracts to cronies or companies owned by family members through, mostly, noncompetitive tender. It is a thing of joy today that construction giants like Julius Berger are working in the state. We could not be happier.

“It is known in evidence law that ‘he who asserts must prove.’ Now that Your Excellency has asserted, the burden of proof lies with him to also, in the interest of Abians – most of whom were denied basic infrastructure, livelihoods, pensions and perquisites in the intervening period – publish all records of the forensic audit report on the contract scams. We trust that Your Excellency will not spare any sacred cow, aware and convinced that such records are meant for the public, especially Abians, as the collective owners of the alleged looted patrimony.”

FENRAD further said that the funds, if recovered, could go a long way inameliorating the effects of the economic downturn, and vowed not to rest on its oars until a closure is reached regarding these weighty allegations.

“Again, the economic situation in the country, amid subsidy removals on energy and petrol, is already in a parlous state and such funds, if recovered, could go a long way in helping Your Excellency provide more basic amenities to Ndị Abịa, and as well cushion the effects of worsening hardships like food crisis and inflation being experienced in the state.

“As a group familiar with procurement laws, the Foundation urges Your Excellency to publish all available records on the alleged contract scams, including the one on the proposed Abia airport, to enable it to legitimately pursue the matter as a group committed to transparency in public finance sector and fiscal discipline. These allegations are weighty, and as a group we will not rest on our oars until a closure is reached.

“We wish Your Excellency well in his strides as he pilots Abia in an excruciating time like this,” FENRAD said.