A recent investigation by Defenders of the Environment & Social Justice Initiative (DESJI) has uncovered alleged payment irregularities in Midim – Etim Ekpo Road Construction government project aimed at developing rural Communities.
Victims claim they were deceived and swindled by government agents handling the compensation payments for crops, economic trees and structures in the right of way.
Allegations:
- Payment Irregularities:
Victims alleged they were misled about the compensation amounts, some had partial payments for crops and property marked for demolition, for instance those who had more than a portion of land on the same road received payment for only one even when the rest were captured for payment. They also had significant deductions made from their payments without their consent.
- The Story of Madam Nko Sunday
Particularly touching is the story of one elderly widow – Madam Nko Sunday who shared her heartbreaking story to DESJI team last month. Madam Nko is forced to put up in a partly demolished house after being swindled by government appointed agents assigned with the task of compensation payment. Madam Nko laments that after evaluation and payment she was informed that amount paid could afford a two bedroom apartment but she was surprised that after initial withdrawal to pay for land and deposit for some building materials she went back to the bank only to he informed that she had nothing more to take. The bewildered widow could not understand. To worsen her case she realized from the bank statement that deductions were made to an unknown account without her consent. Nko is now stucked in her partly demolished hut along the construction site.
Another victim who does not want his identity disclosed but willing to testify claim he only realized that his money was deducted to another account without his consent when he request for bank statement which shockingly showed that over N400,000 (Four Hundred Thousand Naira) was deducted without his consent. The victim has pleaded with DESJI to help recover the unauthorized deduction.
The total estimated value of such criminal deductions is in the millions which call for immediate intervention and investigation from concerned authorities.
Many others alleged that the Community Liason Officer one Unyime Mel who is believed to be protected by powerful forces working in concert with the government consultant, tricked them into a hired vehicle to a certain office in Uyo where they were manipulated by the agent to hand over their cheques to members of a financial institution co-opted into the syndicate who immediately lodged the payments to accounts opened for the beneficiaries and immediately transferred unauthorized sums to a dedicated account without their consent and due knowledge.
3.Selective Payments:
Some individuals who refused to consent to illegal deduction proposals were allegedly denied payments. They complained that the CLO and agents threatened that no payment will be made to those who do not consent to their illegal deduction terms.
- Fraudulent Inclusion:
Some community stakeholders alleged that properties and structures clearly not in the right of way were included for compensation payments, while those that were supposed to be compensated were diverted.
While it may be tricky to establish the claim of diversion from properties on the right of way, it would be bes tot revisit the project site with an independent team for a physical assessment.
Recommended Actions:
After receiving the complains from alleged victims, DESJI embarked on a preliminary fact finding mission and came up with the following observations;
- Deductions from the alleged complainant’s account to another account was confirmed but could not establish if it was out of account owner’s consent or not.
- Selective payment was also apparent as alleged but needed some clarifications from the CLO and Ministry of Works before conclusions are drawn.
- Partial payment for captured plots was also apparent as DESJI was conducted around some already captured plots and demolished properties by the victims who claim they received only partial payments.
The victims pleaded with DESJI to intervene by drawing the attention of relevant authorities to this unmerited injustice.
Following DESJI’s observations, the organization took up the issues with Akwa Ibom State Ministry of Works and recommended the following;
Investigation:
- That the Ministry of Works (MoW) should investigate the allegations with DESJI representing the victims.
- That compensation records of payments be revisited and verified by the supervising authorities to be closely monitored by DESJI for transparency purpose.
Clarification Meeting:
That the CLO, consultant be invited to refute or clarify issues bothering on alleged payment irregularities mentioned above with DESJI as the victims’ representative.
Corrective Measures:
That in the event the allegations are true, the Ministry should take steps with other government agents to Identify culprits and take corrective actions if allegations are confirmed.
Remedial Actions:
- The Ministry of Works should Communicate and effect remedial actions for affected victims.
- Independent Assessment: Conduct an independent assessment to verify the legitimacy of compensation payments.
- Project Evaluation: Disclose the scope and tenure of the project and periodically monitor and evaluate its progress.
Conclusion:
The government should prioritize transparency and accountability as critical component of projects execution to prevent identified and other irregularities that could mar the successful completion of projects.
Proper supervision and monitoring can ensure the success of government initiatives. Community stakeholders should be encouraged to speak up when they suspect any wrongdoing and government representatives – PAs, SAs, LG Chairmen etc should be held accountable for project failures in their domains going forward.
DESJI is committed to working with all stakeholders to ensure that government projects and initiatives are conducted according to approved guidelines and in a transparent manner in the interest of all parties and stakeholders.
We commend the rural development initiative of Akwa Ibom State government but emphasize the need for proper supervision and transparency. Poor management undermines project success.
We are committed to social justice for the vulnerable and the less privilege in our society.
Let’s work together to ensure government projects benefit the people.
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