The Bureau Newspaper’ review of the Abia state audit report has shown that the state’s commissioner for environment Philemon Asonye Ogbonna received the sum of N41.6 million into his personal account against fiscal laws.
According to details in the audit report, the money was meant for Abia Industrial and Innovative Park at Owaza, Ukwa West local government area.
This contradicts the provisions of the financial regulation 809 in the state as such payments are supposed to pass through proper vouching, documentation and due process.
Another sum of N37.8 million was reportedly paid into the account of Alozie Kelechi C., a former permanent secretary in the state, and Obinna Nwaokoma, who is a director of finance in the state.
Furthermore, contracts worth N47 million were awarded without due process in the state, according to the document.
The contracts were awarded in favour of Abia State industrial innovative park.
It was noted that there was no advertisement in local and national newspaper for tenders.
It was further revealed that the sum of N200 million was paid to Krest Kreative Concept for construction at the permanent site for the college of health sciences and technology at Umuobiakwa; however, the payments were made without payment vouchers.
The document noted that aside from the lack of payment vouchers, the contract agreement that should show jobs to be done, job specifications, time of job completion, and terms of payments were not also presented for the audit process in the award of the N200 million contract.
This development comes amid calls for accountability and prudence in the management of government resources.