Ncheta Omerekpe, a frontline aspirant for the 2023 governorships position in Abia State on Thursday said that his state (Abia) is the most corrupt in Nigeria, stressing that the fight against corruption is one of the five pillars he will be operating on if given the opoortunity to serve the state.
Omerekpe who recently accused the administration of Governor Okezie Ikpeazu of not being able to account for a certain $300 million load he helped to secure from the African Development Bank (AFDB) said that the dilapidation condition of roads especially in the oil-producing communities needs serious scrutiny.
He said that the best example to see the height of corruption in Abia is the stress people find themselves while trying to have access from the oil-rich Ukwa West Local Government Area (LGA) to the sister Ukwa East LGA despite the huge amount of money that comes to them through oil revenue.
Omerekpe called on the people to ask those managing the Abia State Oil Producing Area Development Commission (ASOPADEC) to tell them what they have been doing with the 30% of the 13% derivation revenue that comes into their account on monthly basis.
“We went to Ukwa to consult our people. After consulting the people of Ukwa East which is very close to Aba, we decided to go to Ukwa West a close local government area. A journey that would have not taken us more than 25 minutes took us five hours to get there.
“Then I asked the question, is it not Ukwa that made Abia State an oil-producing state? Ukwa has ASOPADEC, and Abia is a member of NDDC because of Ukwa. I was very angry when I got there. ASOPADEC receives 30% of the 13% that gets to Abia as an oil-producing state.
“This Government has been in charge of Abia for 84 months if ASOPADEC receives 30% of the 13% that accrued to this state on monthly basis, which fluctuates. The 13% fluctuates between N1.5 billion and N1billion.
“So, if they receive 30% on the average, one will say that they are receiving an average of N400 million a month. If they’re receiving N400 million a month, that means of the 84 months that this Government has been in place if they receive N500 million on average, it means ASOPADEC has received N42 billion in the administration of Okezie Ikpeazu. Now, if they receive N400 million it means that ASOPADEC has received N33.6 billion.
“Then I went to Ukwa and a drive of 25 minutes took me five hours. Ukwa West has not had light for five years. If you’re a human being, you must ask questions. That was why I asked, irrespective of all these funds to come in Abia because of Ukwa People, what’s happening?
“This was why I asked about what happened to the $300 million loans I helped to secure because I can’t see where it was channelled to. They should have provided me with answers.
“I need to know why a drive from Osisioma to Port Harcourt should take five hours? I need to know why a drive from one part of Ukwa to the other will take five hours? Tell me why Asa people should not have light for five years.”
Omerekpe said that he is running his campaign on five pillars; Improvement of the Agricultural Sector, Improvement in the Health Sector, Provision of Infrastructure, Security and the War Against Corruption.
