Against the backdrop of allegations that he instructed the retrieval or destruction of electricity transformers from communities, Speaker of Abia State House of Assembly, Hon Chinedum Orji has denied the story.
He has rather described the reports as fake, malicious and wicked reports spread to blackmail his name.
In a statement signed by his Chief Pressing, Jude Chijioke Ndukwe, Hon Orji said he never carried out such exercise as alleged by his enemies.
He wondered how he would retrieve or destroy transformers he willingly donated, installed and energized in various Abia communities just because he was not declared winner of just held Ikwuano/Umuahia Federal Constituency.
The Speaker explained that the 5 days blackout experienced in Abia State was caused by a strike action embarked upon by electricity workers in Abia State.
He further advised Abians to ignore the wicked allegations as they were circulated by enemies of Abia State, warning that the name of the Abia number one Legislator should not be blackmailed again.
“Our attention has been drawn to the rumours making the rounds that the Speaker of Abia State House of Assembly, Rt Hon Chinedum Enyinnaya Orji FNSE has retrieved the electric transformers he donated, installed and energised for communities, and wish to state categorically clear that the rumours are not only false and misleading but also malicious, and should be treated as the handiwork of mischievous elements and meddlesome interlopers who mean no good for our people.
The truth is that the current darkness being experienced in the State for some days now is as a result of some labour disputes which forced labour union leaders to shut down offices and facilities with affiliate members.
“There is no way Mr Speaker could have condescended to the level of such trivialities as to retrieving transformers he willingly donated to communities out of his immense sense of service to the people, service which precedes his emergence as Speaker. We therefore urge Ndi’Abia to disregard such rumours as there is no iota of truth in them.”
” It is however heartwarming to note that Abians appreciate the enormity of Mr Speaker’s electricity projects across several of the state’s constituencies as epitomised by the transformers he donated and energised for them to the extent that their false rumour of retrieval could throw a large part of the state into total darkness and crumble businesses in the process.
This fact is well appreciated.”
The message concluded by assuring the benefiting communities that their transformers were still in place as they were installed.
