Pratt Descends On Transition Team

kwesi pratt

The Managing Editor of Insight, Mr. Kwesi Pratt who is also a leading member of the Committee for Joint Action (CJA) has criticized the NDC transition team, chaired by Mr. Don Arthur, for spending ¢3.61 Billion (GH¢ 361,924.41) for only two months of transition work out of which amount ¢1.35 Billion went for "tea and water".

Expressing his disappointment in the Transition Team on Peace FM’S Morning Show, ‘’Kokrokoo’’, the social commentator described their action as a glaring example of mismanagement and lack of planning. He derided the team’s lack of prudence displayed in its decision to recruit some staff all the way from the United States. "I call it useless and mismanagement because there were people in this country who could have done what those people from the States came to do”.

According to him Mr. Don Arthur and his panel could have sacrificed themselves to do the transition work for free to help their government instead of taking money, because he believes they discharged free campaign services to help the NDC government come to power. The CJA Member however did not suggest that the team be held culpable for mismanaging government funds.

Mr. Pratt was reacting to the transition team’s budget statement as presented to parliament by finance Minister Dr. Kwabena Duffuor last Wednesday. On the same show an NPP activist Mr. John Boadu disclosed that their party members on the transition team that ushered in the NPP in year 2000 did it for free.

By John Nyaaba

Minority Demands Explanations from Don Arthur.

The minority leader in parliament, Hon. Kyei- Mensah Bonsu has said he suspects foul play in the NDC transition team’s two months expenditure said to be ¢3.61 Billion or GH¢361,924.4. He asked, “Is this the beginning of lean government and transparency?” One of many instances of curiousity, he said, the transition team was made up of 100 people but the budget documents presented to parliament by the finance minister Dr. Kwabena Duffuor, shows expenditure for about 150 people. “Where from the extra 50 people?,” he enquired. According to him, the NPP members who took part in the transitional process including the former chief of staff, Mr. Kojo Mpiani, the ex-deputy minister of Information, Mr. Frank Agyekum and several others were not paid anything, including their transportation. He therefore wondered how such a huge expenditure could have been incurred. Speaking to Peace FM, the former deputy Minister of Information, Mr. Frank Agyekum confirmed that, he was never given any money. Neither was he given ‘’their so call tea they spent ¢ 1.35billion on’’ The Minority leader was speaking to Peace FM in reaction to the Finance Minister's budget presented to parliament last Wednesday on the transition team’s expenditure which totaled GH¢361,924.41 including their allowances and refreshments. Of particular interest was the water and tea component of ¢1.35 billion. Hon. Kyei –Mensah Bonsu however challenged the transition team, chaired by Mr. Don Arthur to let Ghanaians know the number times they sat to work. He added, ‘’this is just the beginning and we need to correct them or make this government do things right or else things will get out of hand.’’ By: John Nyaaba

Bagbin & Ayariga Scramble For Gov't Cars

NEW. Watch live television from Ghana, the latest Ghanaian movies and OBE TV.After flogging NPP over state vehicles

… Purchase Kubalo tractors for GH¢18,000

EVEN BEFORE the government establishes the veracity or otherwise of the huge allegations against the Minister of Youth and Sports, Hon. Alhaji Muntaka Mubarak, The Chronicle can authoritatively reveal massive loot involving nicodemous sale of state vehicles to government officials at the Ministry of Food and Agriculture. Information from a deep throat source at the Ministry has exposed how state vehicles are being secretly sold to some high prominent officials of the current government at relatively cheaper prices.

The top government officials involved in the clandestine purchase of state vehicles as uncovered by the paper include the Majority Leader of Parliament and MP for Nadowli West, Hon. Alban S.K Bagbin, the Presidential Spokesperson, Hon. Mahama Ayariga, the NDC Member of Parliament for Salaga, Hon. Alhaji Ibrahim Dey Abubakar and one Mr. Iddrisu Alhassan of Walewale, in the Northern Region.

Series of corresponding letters written and signed by the Chief Director and his deputy at the Ministry, Ing. J.K Boamah and G. K. A. Brantuo respectively, to these government officials approving the sale of the various vehicles under the instructions of the sector Minister, also directed the beneficiary personalities to deposit the various amounts of monies into 2KR-2007 Account, at the Bank of Ghana, Accra.

A letter dated March 24, 2009, written and signed by the Chief Director at the Ministry and addressed to the Presidential Spokesperson, Hon. Mahama Ayariga, copies of which are available to the Minister, the Regional Director of MOFA, the Regional Engineer, MOFA, and the District Director of the Ministry at Bawku, and headlined: ALLOCATION OF ONE (1) KUBOTA TRACTOR WITH MATCHING IMPLEMENTS reads. “I have the pleasure to inform you that the Hon. Minister of Food and Agriculture has approved for sale one Kubota Tractor with matching implements to you. The total cost of the package is EIGHTEEN THOUSAND GHANA CEDIS. You are required to make an initial down payment of GH¢10,000 before taking delivery and the balance of GH¢8,000 is to be paid in three installments over a period of three years, starting from the date of delivery of the package to you. The installment are to be paid as follows:1st year-GH¢4,000, 2nd year-GH¢2,000 and 3rd year-GH¢2,000 with a directive that all initial payment and subsequent installment payments should be strictly by Banker’s Draft, payable to Underprivileged farmers -2KR-2007.

The Chief Director’s letter to the Presidential Spokesperson noted that the validity of the offer was 4 weeks, after which date it would be assumed that he is no more interested in the offer and the tractor would be re-allocated to other applicants.

A receipt dated April 15, this year, acknowledging the payment and receipt of an amount of GH¢10,000 from Hon. Mahama Ayariga, by the Chief Director, had been sighted by the paper.

In the same vein, a letter dated March 6, 2009, written and signed by the Deputy Chief Director of MOFA, Mr. G. K. A. Brantuo, on behalf of his boss and addressed to the Majority Leader, Hon. Alban S. K. Bagbin, also confirms the allocation of one Kubota tractor with matching implements to the Majority Leader, at the same amount per the same mode of payment.

A similar letter dated the same day and signed by Mr. Brantuo also approved for the sale of one John Deere 5403 tractor without harrow to one Mr. Iddrisu Alhassan at the cost of GH¢16,075.00 (Sixteen Thousand Seven- Fifty Ghana cedis) under similar conditions of payment.

Yet, another letter by the MP for Salaga, Hon. Alhaji Ibrahim Dey Abubakar and dated March 12, 2009, requested for 3 Kubota tractors with two sets of implement on the terms of one hand half down payment and the balance spread over a period of two years.

“My constituency is basically a farming one with most of the people lacking services of tractors. The acquisition of the tractors will not only enable me to farm, but also assist the peasant farmers with its services,” the letter noted.

The Chief Director of MOFA, acting upon the instructions of the Minister, has also directed all Regional Directors of the Ministry to first receive an approval from the national headquarters before the final issue of any facility.

Meanwhile, investigations by the paper has revealed that the tractors, which are now being sold at cheaper prices to some officials of the current government, were brought into the country from India by the previous administration under the instrumentality of MP for Dome-Kwabenya, Prof. Mike Oquaye, who was a former High Commissioner to India, as part of efforts by the previous government to assist farmers in the country.

A deep throat source within the Ministry has also hinted the paper that other top personalities of the ruling party (names withheld) have allegedly also benefited from the deal.

Meanwhile, the Majority Leader Alban Bagbin has confirmed the allocation of the Kubata tractor to him by the Agric Ministry. Speaking the paper in a telephone interview, the Nadowli West MP said he put in an application for two of the tractors after his attention was drawn to the sale of the vehicles by his colleague MP for Ejura-Sekyedumase, Hon. Yusif Mohammed Pangabu.

Mr. Bagbin noted that his main reason for acquiring the tractor was to enable him offer assistance to various farmers’ group in his constituency, who are engaged in commercial farming.

He claimed there was nothing fishy about the deal because the tractors were put up publicly for sale, adding that similar purchases had been made by some of his colleague MPs and interested farming groups.

The MP would, however, not comment on the price of the vehicles, saying he was only informed in writing about the price and he saw nothing wrong with the negotiation.

Presidential spokesperson, Hon. Mahama Ayariga on his part told The Chronicle that there was nothing illegal as far as the acquisition of the tractors were concerned and that he went through due process in acquiring them.

According to him, he bought the tractors to help poor farmers in his constituency by giving them subsidized fees for ploughing. He said whilst tractors owned by private individuals charged GH¢250 for ploughing an acre of land, he had instructed his people to charge only GH¢100 per acre.

Source:Chronicle

Corruption detected in institutions in Volta Region

Ho, June 18, GNA - Massive corruption has been detected in the National Disaster Management Organization, (NADMO), National Youth Employment Programme (NYEP) and the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS) all in the Volta Region. Mr Joseph Amenowode, the Volta Regional Minister, told a meeting of the Volta Region House of Chiefs on Wednesday that "the institutions are characterized by ghost names, persons employed in more than one institution, persons taking salaries for no work done, persons using fake certificates to work and actually stealing of funds in the NHIS", Mr Amenowode said. He said in the "School feeding programme for example due process was not followed in the selection of caterers and in many cases no health checks of the caterers before they began work". Mr Amenowode said state lands were also sold by the Regional Lands Commission "sometimes under duress or threat by government functionaries." "In all these malfeasances, the region is the ultimate loser and this would not be allowed to continue. We will do everything to sanitize the system in the region", he said. Mr Amenowode said the Lands Commission in the Volta Region had been instructed to provide records of all state lands disposed off within the past four years in Ho. "Similar exercises would take place in all districts very soon", Mr Amenowode said. Source: GNA

NDC Funded from Nigeria?

JJ Rawlings interracting with Rotimi Amaechi

Who else wants to get that breast? Just keep your eyes peeled for any too good to be genuine cinema or testimonials. Make surefire you do not go for a outcome that has a worth that seems too good to be true. These are regularly very cheaply manufactured crop that can even be formulated in a way that causes Spartan hormonal imbalance in some women. Im not axiom you must to splurge an outrageous quantity of money, but the you get what you pay for clich holds genuine for breast pills as well. Breast augmentation is something that many women consider during their lifetime. I chance that analysis the above information was both enjoyable and educational for you. The secret of successful bossoms - By: TERESIA More Quotes | Submit a Quote

POLITICAL FEATHERS have been ruffled in the Rivers State of Nigeria over revelations that an amount of $3.5 million of Nigerian taxpayer's money was secretly given to Ghana's ruling National Democratic Congress (NDC) to help the party finance its 2008 election campaign.

The laws of Ghana do not permit political parties to solicit sponsorship from a foreign country or non-Ghanaians.

The Rivers State Governor, Rt. Hon. Rotimi Chibuike Amaechi, is accused of having given out the said amount to the NDC and that it was allegedly channeled through former President Jerry John Rawlings, who visits the Rivers State quite often and is a personal friend of the governor's.

Pointblanknews.com, a Nigerian-based online media house, first broke the news and the publisher, Jackson Ude, in a telephone interview with DAILY GUIDE alleged that the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) is currently investigating Governor Amaechi for money-laundering and financial misappropriation.

The report claimed that “according to credible sources, part of the money that Amaechi is struggling to reconcile in the books may have actually gone into providing funds for the ruling party in Ghana, an alleged contribution to the election of incumbent Ghanaian President, John Atta Mills. A whopping Four Hundred Million, about $3.5 million, was allegedly transferred to facilitate the process in Ghana.

“Former Ghanaian dictator, Flight Lt. Jerry John Rawlings (Retired), has been identified as the alleged conduit through which the huge sums were transferred to the ruling party in Ghana.

Rawlings has been a regular visitor to Rivers State. Another individual identified as a courier for Governor Amaechi is one Nyeson Wike, an aide to Amaechi.

“Amaechi is said to have also invested several millions in blue chip companies in Ghana. He and other Governors in Nigeria are said to have devised a new strategy of investing stolen loots from Nigeria to neighboring countries, and Ghana with its seemingly stable economy has become a favored destination. In the last one year, Amaechi is said to have stashed away over one billion Naira to selected companies in Ghana, in a manner designed to beat the watchful eyes of Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) who are still investigating the State for money laundering.”

Jackson Ude told DAILY GUIDE that the Office of the Rivers State Governor has decided not to comment on the allegation with an excuse that that the office is already being investigated for other financial issues.

DAILY GUIDE could also not get the Governor to comment on the story as attempts to reach him proved futile and he did not reply several e-mails sent to him to request for an interview.

By Halifax Ansah-Addo

Source: Daily Guide - Daily Guide

Regional Minister reacts to media reports about frivolous spending

Sunyani, GNA - The Brong-Ahafo Regional Co-ordinating Council (RCC) on Thursday debunked media reports that Mr. Kwadwo Nyamekye-Marfo, the Regional Minister had spent GHC 97,000 on the renovation of his office.

Mr. Francis O. Boateng, Regional Co-ordinating Director, told a press conference that a total amount of GHC 9,700 was spent on the project.

The project comprised the removal of two pillars in the Minister's office, re-ceiling and tiling, replacement of a faulty air conditioner and other works at his secretary's office.

Mr. Boateng said the co-ordinating council engaged the services of the Architectural Engineering Services Limited for the evaluation and cost of the works, to facilitate tender and bidding.

The Chief Director said: "After the works had passed through the necessary procedures in the Procurement Act, the contract was awarded to TENNEB MAS Construction Firm."

"As at now the RCC has not paid even a pesewa to the contractor because there is no money", Mr. Boateng added.

Mr. Nyamekye-Marfo had earlier on refuted the allegations, saying his administration is not in the position to have any "chaotic confrontation" with the media and asked journalists to cross-check their facts before disseminating them.

Mr. Eric Opoku, Deputy Regional Minister, reiterated the importance for the co-ordinating council and the media to co-operate to promote the free flow of credible information to the public.

"The Regional Minister has no power to sign any cheque to pay anybody", he said, adding "he however has the power to authorize payments".

Mr. Charles Koomson, Regional Chairman of the Ghana Journalist Association (GJA) appealed to his colleagues to be circumspect in their reportage in order not to create unnecessary tension.

Mr. Koomson who is also the Regional Manager of the Ghana News Agency GNA) underscored the need for media personnel who were not members of the GJA, to join the association to ensure efficient journalism needed for nation building.

"Journalism is meant to integrate the people and for that matter the State and not to disintegrate. As members of the Fourth Estate of the Realm, we must always be guided by the ethics of the profession", he stated.

GNA

The Disgraced Minister of Sports is Mocked in Kumasi, Clashes with Alan

Mr. Alan Kyerematen

If the disgraced suspended minister of Sports cannot be a minister can he be an MP? Can somebody be suspended frombeing a minister and still hold himself as an MP. I think the laws of Ghana must look into it because a disgraced minister cannot hold himself as a honourable MP.

THE EMBATTLED Youth and Sports Minister, Hon. Muntaka Mohammed Mubarak, was mocked by traders at the Kumasi Central Market yesterday when he visited the scene of a fire outbreak that recently gutted parts of the market.

The traders openly cast innuendoes at the Asawase Member of Parliament (MP), who was ordered by President John Evans Atta Mills to proceed on indefinite leave over a series of financial impropriety and moral scandals that he allegedly entangled himself in at the Sports Ministry.

Not minding the fact that the embattled MP was there to sympathise with them, the traders, openly displaying pampers and baby oil, chanted, 'Muntaka Pampers', and 'Muntaka Khebab' among a host of innuendo-filled songs wherever he went.

On the other hand, when Mr. Alan Kyerematen, former New Patriotic Party (NPP) Presidential Aspirant and one-time Minister for Trade, Industry, and President's Special Initiatives (PSI), also visited the market about the same time, the scene was different.

Surprisingly, the traders abandoned their wares to give a rousing welcome to the former minister.

Mr. Kyerematen arrived at the boisterous market around 11:00am, with about 500 supporters following him and within minutes, the traders-turned-choristers welcomed him with instantly-composed songs.

As some of the traders jeered at the Asawase MP, others heaped songs of praise on Kyerematen and his party.

They chanted, 'Alan no size', 'NPP no challenger', and 'NPP come and save us from our misery', amid open display of NPP paraphernalia.

Private security personnel detailed to keep order at the market had a hectic time before they were able to whisk Mr. Kyerematen away in a waiting vehicle.

Earlier on, Mr. Kyerematen, after commiserating with the traders, encouraged them to cooperate with government to find lasting solutions to the constant fire outbreaks in the market.

Sounding peaceful, he said Government's plans to bring the market to an appreciable standard were good.

He however implored government to consider the interest and welfare of the affected traders whilst making efforts with regards to building an ultra-modern market facility as a long-term solution to the problem.

Lamenting the colossal damage caused by the ferocious fire, the NPP guru admonished the traders to insure their wares so that in times of disaster, they would still be safe.

Mr. Kyerematen pledged 150 bags of cement and 50 packs of roofing sheets to help in its reconstruction whenever the traders and government reach a decision.

Speaking to Citi News, the National Coordinator of “Friends of Alan” said the rationale behind the visit was for Alan to express sympathy and interact with the traders, many of whom were affected by the fire outbreak.

He said it was essential for Alan to visit the victims, having served as Trade Minister in the previous Government.

He added that Alan had a deep love for Kumasi as he was born there and his father had served as mayor of the city.

The woes of Hon. Muntaka started a week ago after the Principal Accountant of the ministry accused him of a series of financial impropriety.

His plight was worsened by revelations that he took a lady, supposed to have been his girl-friend, along on two foreign trips at the state's expense.

The purchase of pampers (baby diapers) and khebab by Hon. Muntaka, which cost the nation about GH¢27,000 were some of the items many Ghanaians considered rather outrageous.

From I.F. Joe Awuah Jnr., Kumasi

Source: Daily Guide - Daily Guide

Ex-President Rawlings received no River State cash-aide

The office of former President Rawlings has denied claims that the ex-president received an amount of $3.5 million from a Nigeria state governor ahead of the 2008 elections. The Daily Guide and the Chronicle Newspapers in their Monday editions alleged the ex-president received the amount from the River State Governor, Rotimi Amaechi, to help finance the National Democratic Congress’ election campaign which saw the party eventually win power. The newspapers cited a Nigerian website, pointblanknews.com as source of their information. Justice Ude, manager of the website, in a subsequent interview with Joy News, confirmed the allegations, saying the ex-president benefited from the corrupt practices of the governor. He said the two are good friends and did not come to him as a surprise allegations that ex-president Rawlings benefited from the largess. The governor is currently under investigations for money laundering by the Economic and Financial Crimes Unit of Nigeria. Here in Ghana, it is illegal in the country’s Political Party Code of Conduct to receive funding from foreign nationals or institutions. But in a rebuttal, aide to the former president, Kofi Adams, said the NDC campaign was never funded by the River State governor. He told Joy News if such monies were made available to the NDC the party would have waged a more flambouyant campaign than it did in the just-ended elections. Describing the accusations as “baloney,” the aide insists “nothing like that ever happened.” He said the ex-president in September 2008, three months to the elections, was guest speaker at a public lecture organised by the River State Governor, but maintained ex-President Rawlings received no money for his services. Even though he is aware Rotimi Amaechi is under investigations, he said neither the ex-president nor the NDC can be cited for wrong doing. He suspects a plot by opposition newspapers to divert public attention on corruption allegations leveled against ex-government officials. Story by Nathan Gadugah/Myjoyonline.com

Rawlings To Mills: Act Swiftly In Muntaka’s Case

Former President Rawlings who celebrated his 52nd birthday on June 22 has challenged President John Evans Atta Mills to act swiftly in Hon. Muntaka Mubarak’s case and the current rise of fuel prices in the country. Speaking to Peace FM news, the spokesperson for former President Rawlings, Mr. Kofi Adams said ex-President Rawlings does not mean to direct President Mills on what to do or how to run his government but is concerned about the campaign promises the NDC party made to the people of Ghana of which he, ex-president Rawlings, played an important role. He said according to him, the former President wants President Mills to act swiftly to Muntaka’s case and the current rise of fuel prices in the country because the NDC promised to do away with corruption and reduce fuel price to the comfort of Ghanaians and therefore needs to be sincere and honest with the people who voted them into power by fulfilling their promises instead of doing the opposite. Hon. Muntaka was asked by President Mills to proceed on leave while his case is being investigated following the allegation that he had abused his office and engaged in fraudulent activities in the sports ministry, including taking GH¢10,000 from the Ministry’s fund to consult a spiritualist to boost the fortunes of the Black Stars, spending about GH¢20,000 government fund to buy mouth wash and pampers for his baby. By John Nyaaba, peacefmonline.com

Governor Amaechi in N500 billion wasteful spree, Ghana's NDC is a beneficiary

• Jerry Rawlings identified as one of his conduits
• The dirty past that should have halted his governorship dream

Rotimi Amaechi

There are growing calls on the Governor of Rivers State, South-South Nigeria, Mr. Rotimi Amaechi to account for how his administration spent appropriated funds totaling over Five Hundred Billion Naira about $3.6billion in the last two years.

But many of Governor Amaechi’s critics would no longer have to wait endlessly for a convincing account on how the money for the state was spent or misappropriated. There are reasons to believe that Nigeria’s neighboring countries are benefitting hugely from the funds disappearing from Rivers State.

According to credible sources, part of the money that Amaechi is struggling to reconcile in the books may have actually gone into providing funds for the ruling party in Ghana, an alleged contribution to the election of incumbent Ghanaian President, John Atta Mills. A whopping Four Hundred Million, about $3.5 million was allegedly transferred to facilitate the process in Ghana.

advertisement

While the world celebrates Ghana as a beckon of free and fair democracy in Africa, there is no mention of the country, Nigeria that provides the money that produces the miracle of Ghana.

Former Ghanaian dictator, Flight Lt. Jerry John Rawlings (Retired) has been identified as the alleged conduit through which the huge sums were transferred to the ruling party in Ghana. Rawlings has been a regular visitor to River State. Another individual identified as a courier for Governor Amaechi is one Nyeson Wike, an aide to Amaechi.

While Nigeria continues to face massive de-industrialization, Amaechi is said to have also invested several millions in Blue chip companies in Ghana. He and other Governors in Nigeria are said to have devised a new strategy of investing stolen loots from Nigeria to neighboring countries and Ghana with its seemingly stable economy has become a favored destination. In the last one year, Amaechi is said to have starched away over N1 Billion to selected companies in Ghana, in a manner designed to beat the watchful eyes of Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) who are still investigating the State for money laundering.

Recently, a group known as Niger Delta Watchdog asked the Governor to account for over N500 Billion that accrued to the state in the last two years, he could not do so convincingly. But sources said that most of the money may have been taken to Ghana where the Governor has sizeable amount of investment.

Amaechi is said to be using one Wike who operates an account with Zenith Bank with Number 602-500-949 in Port Harcourt as one of the cronies who launder money on his behalf. Wike, before his present ordeal with the EFCC, is said to have ran errands for Amaechi mostly in Ghana and other countries the Governor has interest in.

"How is it possible for a one kilometer road to be constructed at N4.3 billion and a five-kilometer road at N7.3 billion? We want to know what kind of roads will cost this much?"

The watchdog also doubts the sincerity in the proposed building of 105 cottage hospitals spread across the 23 local government areas (LGAs) in Rivers state. The group hinged its argument on the ground that four cottage hospitals per LGA is a waste when most of the Local Government Areas of the state have standard General Hospitals that need refurbishing. They want the government to rather refurbish the existing hospitals.

Quoting Alhaji Asari Dokubo, "Contract regime and looting are correlated", the group accused the government of going on contract spree such as the N48 billion (more than $400, 000, 000.00) for the refurbishing of Trans Amadi/Omoku Gas turbine. With N11 billion already paid out.

According to them, the Federal Government anti-graft bodies should investigate all contracts approved in the last one year.

Already, the EFCC is investigating the Chief of Staff to the Governor, Mr. Nyeson Wike and the Secretary to the State Government, Mr. Magnus Abe over illegal transfer of over N100 million, while invitation has been extended to the Commissioner for Finance and the Accountant- General over the same allegation.

Governor Amaechi is not new to controversies concerning looting and embezzlement of State Finances. He was grossly carpeted by the EFCC for allegedly presiding over a corrupt House of Assembly during the Governorship of Mr. Peter Odili.

In 2006, a whooping N250 million was budgeted for foreign trips for the members. And what do the members do on such trips? A missive from Rivers Net, the company that organizes most of the tours, throws some light on this. In July, the company said it obtained a grant from Miami-Dade County to help organize a two–week visit by members of the Rivers State House of Assembly to Miami, Florida in the United States. Their itinerary included listening to presentations by Pete Hernandez, deputy county manager, Joe Roscoe, director of international affairs, and Tony Okonmah, executive director, Foundation for Democracy. It also included a tour of Miami International Airport and Port of Miami where they were given special presentations on the two facilities.

According to an EFCC’s report, Amaechi wrote to the then Governor Odili, asking him to approve $346,000 for a guided tour for all the members. By his calculation, going by the exchange rate then of N145 to the dollar, this amounted to N50,170,000. The governor approved N50 million. However, Amaechi and his colleagues ripped off the government. First, even if every member were to go for the trip, it would have cost $176,000 and not the $346,000 that was collected. Also, it was discovered upon investigation that the members went only to South Africa. They left for Johannesburg on December 7, 2003, and returned to the country on December 12, 2003 without going to Kenya. But nobody refunded money to government coffers.

Another way by which the legislators siphon money from public purse was through budgetary allocation called “Constituency Office and Clean Up”. In 2005, N276 million was budgeted under this sub-head (N220 million was eventually approved for payment by the state Governor) while N136 million was budgeted in 2006 (the governor approved N120 million). But it was discovered to be just an avenue to loot. The money was shared among members and nothing was done in the constituencies. In 2005, Amaechi alone got N16.7 million while his deputy got N11 million.

On September 6, 2006, the Rivers State House of Assembly put N100 million in a call account at Zenith Bank, Port Harcourt. The instruction was that at maturity, the money and the accrued interest would be rolled over. However, on September 11, 2006 the assembly wrote to terminate the call account and asked for the release of N60 million “for a conference holding in Port Harcourt”. On September 12, 2006, being the next day, it further asked for the release of N5 million again “for a conference holding in Port Harcourt”. Later the same day, the House wrote again for the bank to release N10 million, still “for a conference holding in Port Harcourt”. Finally, on September 14, 2006, the balance of N25 million was collected for the same purpose.

Alex Kalagbor, the cashier in the House, collected all the money. The EFCC was interested in knowing what kind of conference could have cost N100 million. Officials of the commission say that some of the money has been traced to Amaechi. But a top PDP Chieftain in the state said last week that Amaechi is a victim of the power play between the Odili camp and the Governor’s opponents. He said, “They are doing this to stop what they believe is a growing Odili political dynasty”. According to him, those powerful interests petitioned against Amaechi to get at Odili. But by the time the party saw the findings of the EFCC, it had no choice but to drop the Speaker. Notwithstanding the motive of the petitioners, the commission has said that it would neither succumb to blackmail.

The then EFCC Chairman, Mr. Nuhu Ribadu, unsuccessfully tried to bar Amaechi from the Governorship race that has culminated in his present position.

Efforts to speak with any of the state officials on allegations raised were futile as either the Chief Press Secretary or the Commissioner for Information, Mr. Ogbonna Nwuke would pick their calls.

Source:pointblank.com