— Alleges Mismanagement of Constituency Projects, Demands EFCC, ICPC Investigation
— Says Ideato Communities Still Await Visible Impact of Federal Allocations
The Executive Director of Civic Action for Democracy (CAD), Mazi Franklin Ngoforo, has accused the lawmaker representing Ideato North and South Federal Constituency, Hon. Ikenga Ikeagwuonu Ugochinyere, of failing to account for several constituency projects he says were allocated substantial funding in recent federal budgets.
In a statement issued on Sunday, Ngoforo alleged that multiple projects earmarked for the constituency over the 2024 and 2025 budget cycles have either not been executed or lack visible impact on affected communities. He called for an immediate investigation by anti-graft agencies to determine how the funds were utilized.
Ngoforo claimed that projects listed under the “Budget of Restoration” include allocations for infrastructure and security-related interventions such as bridge construction, road rehabilitation, and public facility upgrades. He alleged that despite these budgetary provisions, many of the communities remain without corresponding physical development.
He cited, among others, allocations reportedly made for the reconstruction of the Umuchima Bridge, road works across Akokwa–Arondizuogu–Okigwe axis, and security infrastructure such as a proposed police area command headquarters. According to him, some of these projects were expected to address urgent needs arising from insecurity and infrastructural decay in the area.
Ngoforo further alleged that several 2024 constituency interventions—spanning erosion control, rural electrification, solar street lighting, and road rehabilitation—have not translated into tangible outcomes on the ground. He argued that residents across Arondizuogu, Osina, Akokwa, and Urualla are yet to experience commensurate development relative to the reported budgetary provisions.
He also questioned the implementation of empowerment and agricultural support programmes allegedly captured under various federal intervention agencies, saying there is little evidence of delivery to intended beneficiaries.
On the recent Ikeji Arondizuogu Festival, Ngoforo criticised the lawmaker’s appearance, describing it as misplaced against the backdrop of what he termed unresolved development concerns in the constituency. He alleged that the event presentation reflected a disconnect between leadership representation and community conditions.
Anticipating a possible rebuttal, Ngoforo said it was not enough for the lawmaker or his supporters to dismiss concerns as politically motivated or to argue that some projects were not cash-backed. He maintained that such explanations, if true, would still raise questions about legislative effectiveness and oversight capacity.
He insisted that CAD’s position is that a comprehensive forensic review should be conducted on all constituency projects captured under relevant budgets, including those implemented through federal ministries and intervention agencies.
Ngoforo also called on the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) to examine the execution of projects and determine whether due process and delivery standards were followed.
He stressed that the concern of his organisation is centered on accountability and service delivery, adding that communities in Ideato deserve clarity on the status of funds allocated in their name.
As of press time, there was no official response from Hon. Ugochinyere or his office regarding the allegations.
