n
This was made known to Ika Weekly
during the body’s weekly meeting at 31, Memeh Street, Boji-Boji, Owa, Ika South
Local Government Area.
On the award of the contract for the dualization of
the Old Lagos-Asaba road, the Human Right Restoration Movement through it’s
chairman decried the attitude of the contractors towards handling the protects.
In his words the chairman, Barr. Aghaolor said “His Excellency, Governor
Emmanuel Eweta Uduaghan was kind enough to award N5.5 Billion contract of road
construction to Rotec and HI-TECH construction companies. N2.2 Billion was
awarded to Rotec for tarring and construction of drainage systems, Efeizomor,
Obaigbena, Convent, Dr. Whyte, Osunhor and part of Okoh streets including the
dredging of Orogodo River. This project was awarded for a period of 18 months.
This is the third year and nothing meaningful has been put in place to justify
over N1.3 Billion received by ROTECH. ROTECH has since abandoned this project
possibly because rumors has it that the CEO of Rotec is a personal friend or an
in-law to the governor. This project can never be abandoned. We are calling on
the state government to urgently intervene in this issue before the Movement
will apply its principle of self help to ensuring that this project is
executed.”
The Movement also said that it is highly regrettable
that HI-TECH the second contractor to the same project is beginning to toe the
line of Rotech. “The contract was also awarded to HI-TECH for the cost of N3.3
billion, to be executed in 3 dry seasons. The Movement cannot imagine that the
first dry season is on its way out and HI-TECH Construction Company has not
even mobilized to site. All they did was to sandfill part of Orogodo River,
which, of course Rotech Construction Company ought to dredge. We call on
HI-TECH to mobilized to site and to let them know that, Ika people are civil
and obedient to the Rule of Law should not be taken for granted. We therefore
call on the management of HI-TECH to respect the contract and obligation they
have entered with Delta State government in respect of the dualization of old
Lagos Asaba road from Emuhu junction to Agbor-Obi junction, the installation of
street lights, drainages and slabs where necessary. We demand urgent attention
to these jobs, for Ika people are waiting,” the Movement stated.
On the suspension and purported resumption of office
of Hon. Hilary Ibude, the Ika South Local Government Council Chairman, the
Movement said that the Chairman has to clear his name concerning all the
allegations leveled against him first before resuming office, “Our attention
was also drawn to the last edition of Ika Weekly newspaper
wherein it was reported that the suspended chairman, Hon. Hilary Ibude of Ika
South Local Government council has resumed. On a close examination and
investigation, we discovered that the story was not true. We want to use this
opportunity to call on the State House of Assembly not to lift the suspension
because the allegation ranging from official corruption, over inflation of
contracts, misappropriation of funds and others, have not been thoroughly
investigated. Suspension does not debar investigation. All manner of
investigation should be concluded. If he is exonerated, he will go back to his
duty. But if he is indicted he will be charged to court of competent
jurisdiction for prosecution. He must not fail to understand that office is a
public trust, and on behalf of Ika South Local Government people. It is
unfortunate that he is not thinking of how to clear his name from all these
allegations. What is paramount in his mind is how to go back to office. We call
on the Delta State House of Assembly to place him on indefinite suspension
because the allegations are monumental,” the Movement went on.
The Movement
also noted that in a past edition of Ika Weekly newspaper, dated
Saturday, December 20,2008, there is a caption at the back page of that paper
titled “YAR’ADUA, NOT COMPETENT TO STEER THE SHIP OF THE STATE” where the
Movement unequivocally urged the president to resign. “In the edition, the
Movement canvassed so many points and finally urged the president, Musa
Yar’Adua to resign his appointment. This was the position of the Movement as at
2008. Today the current happenings relating to President Musa Yar’Adua’s
inability to steer the ship of the state has proved us right. Be that as it
may, we want to use this opportunity to thank those who contributed positively
to the enthronement of the Vice President, Goodluck Jonathan as Acting
President. Our thanks goes to the past presidents, Heads of State, Chief
Justices of Nigeria, Governors Forum, Arewa Consultative Forum, Afenifere,
President of Ohaneze Indigbo, Amb. Ralph Iwechue, Editors of various newspapers
and above all the Human Rights activists, particularly Femi Falana and Com.
Bamidele Aturu,” the body said.
Com. Barr. Ifeanyi Williams Aghaulor who is the
chairman of the Movement said that when that pubilicaton of December 20,2008
was published, they were called all sons of names. “To the extent that a man
saw my father and accosted him on the road, telling him to call me to order.
Well, we have chosen to forgive that man because he is ignorant. If what we,
the Human Right Restoration Movement saw in 2008, now manifests itself in 2010,
I have no doubt to say that we, the human rights activists are ahead of time.
The Movements want to say further that the battle is still not over. We urge the
Federal Executive Council, F.E.C., and the National Assembly to comply strictly
with sections 145 and 146 of the constitution of the Federal Republic of
Nigeria. That non-compliance will spell doom for the nation. Furthermore the
task associated with the president and vice president is enormous which His
Excellency, Goodluck Jonathan, cannot carry out alone in an acting capacity. We
urge the F.E.C. and National Assembly to toe the part of honour and save
Nigeria from sliding further,’’ the Movement concluded.
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