BY DAMIAN IGWE
Shocking revelations have been made by the Local Government Panel of Inquiry in Imo State led by Barr Eze Duruiheoma
Presenting its report to Governor Hope Uzodinma at the Sam Mbakwe Executive Chambers, Owerri, Duruiheoma was quoted in a statement signed by Governor Uzodinma’s Chief Press Secretary, Marcel Oguwuike, to have said that the panel discovered unimaginable sleaze in the conduct of the government business at the local governments from 2011 to 2019, that saw N141 billion being fritted away on “funny projects”
Duruiheoma revealed that there were attempts to frustrate the work of the committee, stating that during the period under review, local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs Commissioners, Council Chairmen and contractors were involved in squandering of the LGA allocations.
He expressed regret that under Okorocha’s administration, the LGA was reduced to a bedrock of fraud.
Acknowledging the Duruiheoma report on Local Government, Governor Uzodimma, according to the statement, said he will do his best to implement their recommendations, saying he has come to restore hope and sanitize the rot.
He added that it is unfortunate that those entrusted with the common patrimony could squander such goodwill.
“I will do my best to implement your recommendations. I have not come to joke. I come to restore hope and sanitise the rot. I will do my best to confront whatever is before me.” He added that “humility is not cowardice and that courtesy does not mean surrender.”
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