Cross River Assembly vows to arrest former commissioners over unaccounted heavy-duty equipment worth N10bn procured during Ayade’s Govt   

Cross River Assembly vows to arrest former commissioners over unaccounted heavy-duty equipment worth N10bn procured during Ayade’s Govt 

 

The Cross River State House of Assembly has taken a decisive stance in its quest for accountability, announcing plans to issue arrest warrants for former Governor Ben Ayade’s commissioners and appointees who fail to account for heavy-duty equipment worth ten billion Naira procured during the last administration.

 

According to CrossRiverWatch, the Assembly, during a plenary session held on Monday in Calabar, unanimously agreed to set up a nine-member Special Committee tasked with recovering government-owned heavy-duty equipment.

 

The committee, headed by Deputy Majority Leader Rt. Hon. Davis Etta, will diligently pursue this matter, irrespective of the status and position of the individuals involved.

 

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Speaker of the House Rt. Hon. Elvert Ayambem emphasized the Assembly’s commitment to ensuring transparency and accountability in governance. He instructed the Committee to summon all relevant Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs) along with their heads to provide public explanations regarding the procurement of heavy-duty equipment during Senator Ben Ayade’s administration.

 

Ayambem stressed that the investigation would encompass all MDAs, leaving no stone unturned. “Engage them properly, anyone involved, nobody is exempted,” he cautioned.

 

Among those summoned to appear before the Committee are former Commissioners Mr. Pius A. Edet (Ministry of Works), Ntufam Emmanuel Annom (Ministry of Agriculture and Fishery Development), Mr. Johnson Ebokpo Jnr. (Ministry of Crops and Irrigation Development), and Mr. Odey Chicha (Vehicle Recovery Committee).

 

Additionally, Mr. Robert and Mr. Charles Inah from the Cross River State Agricultural Development Projects, as well as former Commissioners Mr. Paul Iboro and Hon. Dane Osim Asu, are also expected to provide explanations.

 

The Assembly deliberated on a report presented by Hon. Cyril James Omini, Chairman of the Finance and Appropriation Committee, highlighting the inability to account for heavy-duty equipment procured at a cost of ten billion Naira during the Ayade administration. Members expressed concerns over the potential loss of state-owned assets and warned that refusal to cooperate with the investigation would result in the issuance of arrest warrants.

 

Commissioner for Works Mr. Pius A. Edet, who honored the Assembly’s invitation, revealed that he inherited a list of thirty-seven heavy-duty equipment yet to be properly verified as state property.

 

The lawmakers criticized the scattered nature of state-owned properties and pledged to recover all contractual funds associated with the hiring of heavy-duty equipment.

 

The Assembly commended Governor Otu for his administration’s efforts and assured that the recovered equipment would enhance the government’s initiatives.