A group, Association for Public Policy Analysis (APPA) has called on the senator representing Imo East Senatorial zone, Senator Chris Anyanwu to account of the appropriations amounting to billions to the zone.
In a statement signed by its National President, Princewill Okorie, the group said it would not relent in monitoring and analyzing projects appropriated to the zone, insisting that it cannot be intimidated by the antics of Anyanwu.
The group said Anyanwu’s attack on its National President for demanding explanations concerning the projects of the zone is unacceptable.
Pointblanknews.com gathered that the senator had attacked Okorie at the public hearing on constitution amendment organized by the three senators representing the state at Concorde Hotel, Owerri, last Monday.
According to a source, Okorie queried Anyanwu on why N1.4 billion was appropriated to Aboh Mbaise LGA with a population of 195,652, where the Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Hon. Emeka Ihedioha hails from, while Mbaitoli LGA with a population of 237,555 only got N418,500.
Instead of explaining the situation, the source added, the senator was infuriated and allegedly ordered her aides to bundle Okorie out of the venue.
An eyewitness account revealed that if not for the intervention of the stakeholders and journalists at the event, Okorie would have been manhandled by the aides.
Pointblanknews.com further gathered that Anyanwu had earlier accosted Okorie, saying; “You are the gentleman canvassing what you don’t know.
You are going around confusing traditional rulers. I encountered your confusion at Mbaitoli LGAand you must desist form this nonsense because what is appropriated is not always what is released and you don’t know that.”
The group said it had observed that a total of N11.1 billion was appropriated for capital projects in the 27 LGAs of the state while N1.3 Billion is meant for youth empowerment in the 2012 budget.
APPA wondered why the senator would be worried that it enquired about appropriation to the zones and the state at large, insisting that Imo people deserves to know what is due to it and how it is being disbursed.
As at press time,efforts to get the reactions of the senator didnt yield fruit as she failed to pick her calls.