A group, Concerned Imo Citizens has asked the Economic and Financial
Crimes Commission (EFCC) to probe the abandoned 18 storey hotel complex in
Owerri, the state capital.
Chairman of the group, Chief Ceejay Ezebuiro said there was something
strange about the contract, alleging that Bill of Quantity of the contract
was written in Korean language which made it impossible for the engineers
from the state ministry of Works to read.
Ezebuiro who is a close associate of Gov. Rochas Okorocha added that the
contract worth $52million has since been abandoned after the contracting
firm; Hanjin Nigeria Limited was mobilized with N1billion.
The group boss alleged that the Korean partners of the company have been
deported as they entered Nigeria with visiting visas rather than work
permit.
He urged the anti corruption agency to quiz Okorocha’s alter ego and
Nigerian shareholder of the firm, Chief Nyerere Anyim to unravel the
reason why the contract was abandoned.
According to him, “If Chief Macdonald Akano was quizzed in connection with
the controversial Sam Mbakwe Avenue contract; I wonder why Chief Nyerere
Anyim is untouchable.”
Ezebuiro also called on the EFCC to investiagate why a sole
proprietorship, Optimum General Services is being engaged either to
execute or sublet contracts running into billions of Naira in the state,
adding that according to the Act establishing it, a sole proprietorship
cannot execute a contract worth more than N10million.
He alleged that the company is not only being awarded contracts running
into billions of naira, but is also engaged in subletting contracts.