The raging
controversy over the directive by Mr. Evance Ivwurie, Chairman of the Delta
State House of Assembly Committee on Works on Chief Luke Okpunor, the
contractor handling Sector “C” of the Asaba-Ughelli road to pay back N7.4
billion to government coffers for non-performance took another turn yesterday,
as the lawmaker dared the contractor to make public, the closed circuit
television (CCTV) footage where he (Ivwurie) made “unholy demands” from him
without delay.
Besides,
Ivwurie (representing Ethiope East), who spoke in Asaba, urged Okpunor to
explain what he meant by “unholy demands,” adding: “I also dare him to make
such footage public now and without delay, if they do exist, just as I have
made public his text messages to me, offering me and my committee “welfare
package” to compromise us, which I rejected in my reply text to him.”
Ivwurie
alleged that Okpunor had boasted to him on the phone on November 27 and 28,
this year, that he (Okpunor) would stop at nothing to deal with him and crush
him, noting: “On the basis of his threat on me, I have directed my lawyers and
they are currently reviewing Okpunor’s threats to my life and his aspersion on
my integrity.”
The lawmaker
said the allegations were laughable, saying as chairman of the committee, he
and his members had vowed as a point of duty to the people, irrespective of
party affiliations, to perform their oversight functions on project execution
as awarded by the government without fear or favour.
Ivwurie
added: “The public is assured that ethics complaints against any contractor and
government personnel will be investigated to know how well those contracts are
completed.
“I do not
want to score political points; I want to solve problems. Our work and
determination to perform is not personal or targeted at any body or any
contractor. We are engaging and holding to account all erring contractors.”
0 Comments