Onowakpo’s Aide Accuses Ogor Of Using Fake Companies To Siphon Constituency Projects Funds

Obah Sylva, the media aide to APC Isoko Federal Constituency candidate, Mr Joel-Onowakpo Thomas has accused the incumbent lawmaker representing the constituency, Mr Leo Ogor of using some fake companies to award constituency project contract to himself.

BigPen Online reports that some of the constituency projects that were allegedly awarded to the fake companies are currently under investigation by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC.

Recalls that the anti-graft commission had some times ago obtained a warrant to arrest Ogor for refusing to honour series of invitations concerning the constituency projects that were purportedly awarded to the fake companies linked to him.

Obah said that following the controversy surrounding the allegations against Ogor, Mr. Onowakpo Thomas had stated during the official inauguration of his Campaign Council and Committee that he would not be a “legislator and a contractor at the same time”.

According to him, the assertion had attracted so much reactions on the social media both for and against, saying while many have applauded the sincerity of the statement, others are of the opinion that it was not necessary.

In a statement entitled “A Legislator Shouldn’t be a Contractor” Obah said that owing to the claims that Joel-Onowakpo, while serving as Chairman of the Delta State Board of Internal Revenue was also a contractor for various projects executed by the board, like Leo Ogor (who has been rumoured to be both a legislator and a contractor at the same time as a representative), it has become necessary to set the records straight.

He said: “Joel-Onowakpo Thomas served as Executive Chairman DBIR for six and half years. His tenure witnessed massive infrastructural development. The board built a six storey headquarters in Warri and a headquarters annex in Asaba; Data Recovery Center, Koko; 5 Zonal offices and numerous regional offices.

“The contracts of the above infrastructures were awarded to competent contractors for the construction of the different offices. Joel-Onowakpo Thomas, though Chairman of the Board, was not directly involved in award of contracts.

“In Delta State, the Contract Award Bidding Committee is headed by the Deputy Governor of the State, which opens and collects bid from Contractors. The most qualified are awarded those contracts by the State Executive Council.

“Payment of Contractor was done by the Board, from its cost of collection, after supervision to ensure that the job was done to specification.

“All the companies that got contracts are registered. We will appreciate it if anyone can provide any company that belong to Joel-Onowakpo Thomas or linked to him.

“On the contrary, we have seen reports from EFCC showing that some companies used for execution of our constituency projects have direct links to our incumbent lawmaker.

“According to EFCC reports the under listed companies were used by our legislator to siphon and execute constituency projects. They are: Laurelton Global Services Limited; Zanny Concern Limited; Racen Integrated Global Nigeria Limited; Simplified Concept Limited; Fergio Ventures Nigeria Limited and Peanard Nigeria Limited.

“The cash found in some of the accounts of the companies as proceeds from the constituency projects contracts include: Laurelton Global Services Limited (N101, 149, 293.96); Racen Integrated Global Nigeria Limited (N5, 088,293.50); Peanard (N2, 370,901.44); Zanny Concern Limited (N8, 374,173.28) and Simplified Concept Limited (N7, 000).

“A quick search on the official website of the Cooperate Affairs Commission (CAC) has shown that there are no registration records on these companies. Constituents are concerned why a legislator will still be a contractor that executes constituency projects.

“It was on that premise that Joel-Onowakpo Thomas promised the electorates that he will focus on legislative business and leave jobs for qualified Isoko Sons as contractors.

“We will keep to our promise and ensure that benefits from government are not concentrated within a family or few hands. We will ensure that contract are given to qualify contractors from our constituency”, the statement added.