Sunday, July 19, 2015

Allegation Of Squandering Constituency Project Fund Trails Ogor, As Constituents Call For EFCC Probe


The people of Isoko ethnic nationality in Delta state have called on the anti-graft agencies, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to probe allegations of misappropriation of constituency project funds trailing the former deputy majority leader and member representing Isoko Federal constituency in the House of Representatives, Leo Okuweh Ogor.

Ogor is being accused of squandering the constituency project fund approved by the Federal Government prior to the 2015 general elections to empower his constituents.

Dependable sources disclosed that the constituency empowerment project items delivered to Ogor from the coffers of the federal government includes 200 motorcycles, sewing machines, generators, deep freezers, hair dryers and 4 buses among others but the items which were said to have been delivered to the lawmaker before the 2015 general elections for full distribution to the optimal benefit of the people of Isoko nation were since then kept in Ogor's country home in Ozoro, Isoko North local government area of Delta state.

Ogor, it was learnt after several months of taking delivery of the items claimed to have bought the items from his private pocket and was said to have distribute only 96 motorcycles, one bus and few other items to commemorate the 56th birthday celebration of Governor Ifeanyi Okowa of Delta state which was celebrated on July, 8th, 2015.

Chairman of the board of trustees of Fiscal Transparency and Accountability Initiative, Abuja, Chief Charles Edo, a lawyer alleged that Ogor diverted the funds and claims that the money was from his private pocket.

According to Edo, the funds were approved by the past administration of President Goodluck Jonathan through the National Commission for Refugees and Internally Displaced Persons for House members to empower their constituents but Ogor allegedly cornered the money and only get some few items which he disbursed to friends and cronies.

He accused Ogor of allegedly diverting about 200 motorcycles and 4 buses meant as constituency items to the people of Isoko federal constituency.

Edo in a statement made available to newsmen reiterated that the constituency items were provided for "In the 2014 budget of the National Commission for Refugees and Internally Displaced Persons and expect the full implementation of the project to the optimal benefit of the people of Isoko nation.

"This is coming against the backdrop of the distribution of only 100 motorcycles and 1 bus by the Rep member at his country home in Ozoro, Isoko North local government are  of Delta to celebrate the 56th birthday celebration of the Delta State Governor, Dr. Ifeanyi Okowa.

Edo however called on President Muhammadu Buhari to set up a probe panel to investigate the utilization and implementation of the constituency projects by members of the National Assembly which has been subject to abuse and most times ended in their private pockets.

A constituent who simply identified himself as James Okiemute, also told our correspondent that from their own investigations, the federal lawmaker duped the constituents and therefore called on EFCC and others anti-graft agencies to probe into the issue.

"We all know right from time that Leo Ogor is a con man and has in his several years in the house of representatives defrauded us, not a thing of today. Our investigations also revealed that one of his private companies fronting for Leo Ogor which goes by the name, Racen Integrated Services Limited was used to supplied the four buses which he gave out only one. The National Commission for Refugees and Internally Displaced Persons awarded the contract to the company.

"These items were from the coffers of the federal government as part of constituency projects and we are beginning to wonder why Leo Ogor was going about saying they were bought with his own money to empower his constituents. In his years at the national Assembly, Leo Ogor has been defrauding us his constituents. All contracts in the constituency were handled by his private companies and has continued to use his brothers, relations, cronies and political stooges to front", he alleged.

Another constituent who simply gave his name as Oruaroghene accused Ogor of cornering both light, road and other contracts brought to the constituency to himself alleging that he (Ogor) has always shortchanged the people when it comes to empowerment of constituents.

"We have been made to understand that apart from defrauding us the constituents, Leo Ogor did not supply to  specification some of the items especially the motorcycles. The specification for the motorcycles was not ladies machines which he distributed and claimed were bought by his personal money.

"We are therefore calling on EFCC and ICPC to commence a probe on this man without any delay. We just hope this time around the anti-graft agencies must do something unlike before when he was untouchable."

They also called on the Federal Government to commence probe of the federal lawmakers whom they described as a perpetual corrupt member of the green chambers.

Ogor had said while distributing the items said that the gesture was his resolve to  “Instead of wasting money on newspapers adverts to celebrate the 56th birthday of the Governor of Delta State, Senator Dr. Arthur Ifeanyi Okowa, I have decided to use the funds to empower my constituents. The governor in his wisdom had earlier advised us his political associates, family and supporters to use such funds to develop our various constituents”.



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