Credible source has revealed to Abia Facts Newspaper that Local Government Councilors in Abia State were set to protest against the former commissioner of Chieftaincy and local government Affairs Chief Charlie Ogbonna yesterday before frantic effort was made to stop the protest which was billed to be kick started in Aba.
These councilors were set to protest due to what they describe as highhandedness and financial misappropriation which the former commissioner takes advantage of his office to commit.
Based on further research, Abia Facts Newspaper gathered that the 17 Local Government Area Executive Chairmen in Abia State are equally extremely upset with Chief Ogbonna for the same reason as the councilors. It is also said that the chairmen have kept mute due to constant impeachment threat by the former commissioner, it is alleged that bulk of the chairmen came through the former commissioner.
Our source who want to maintain anonymous but is attached to the Chieftaincy and Local Government Affairs Commission revealed to us that former honorable commissioner was the major reason Local Government workers have not been paid salary since January, he is also the reason why Executive Chairmen cannot execute projects, in fact the source maintained that if the former commissioner is not stopped, he will bring down the government of Governor Okezie Ikpeazu.
Our source insisted that the need to stop Chief Charles Ogbonna’s re-appointment is extremely important because it will immediately facilitate the speedy payment of council workers, it will also stop the massive financial misappropriation taking place during JAAC meetings and likewise enable chairmen to execute projects for the betterment of the rural people which was the desire of Governor Ikpeazu to call for Local Government election.
Our source alleged that the former commissioner takes home above N100m (One Hundred Million Only) monthly from JAAc for his personal pocket, this action has deeply affected salary payment and development in the rural areas.
The sources of misappropriation as alleged by our source includes the following:
1. JAAC maintenance fee – N13m monthly
The question now is, what is JAAC maintenance fee?
Who is the money paid to?
What is the money used in maintaining?
2. ASEPA – N85m monthly.
Why will Federal Government allocation for Local Government Areas be used to pay ASEPA?
ASEPA collects levy from Abians and also gets budgetary allocation from the state government, why another N85m?
Does the money really get to ASEPA?
3. Consultants – N40m monthly.
Who are these consultants?
What are they consulting with Local government allocation?
Who engaged these consultants?
4. Swoshers Service Limited – N9.1m monthly into FCMB Acct: 3373498073 (For Cleaning of Abia Environs)
What then is the job of ASEPA, why should Swoshers Service Limited receive another N9.1m monthly for cleaning?
Who is behind this Swoshers Service Limited? It is alleged that the company is owned by Chief Charles Ogbonna’s son.
5. Okey Technical Construction – N4.5m monthly into Fidelity Acct: 4010727804
Even Local government chairmen cannot explain why the