Group accuses Abia Govt of illegal auctioning of vehicles meant for the 17 LGAs

Anti-corruption, environmental and human rights civil society group, Foundation for Environmental Rights Advocacy and Development (FENRAD), has expressed concern over what it called “worrisome development” concerning the alleged illegal auctioning of vehicles by the Abia State Secondary Education Management Board (SEMB).”

A statement signed by Comrade Nelson Nnanna Nwafor and Barr. Olusegun Bamgbose, Executive Director and Head Legal Team respectively, FENRAD said the 17 vehicles meant to serve the 17 Local Government Areas within the state were without due process as they were sold off at the auctioned price of N317,000 each without recourse to the law as is right

“The vehicles, FENRAD gathered, were not declared as ‘beyond economic recovery’ (BER) – when vehicles are no longer economically viable for sale. FENRAD learnt also that the State House of Assembly’s Committee on Public Accounts, Anti-corruption and Due Process is currently investigating this issue and has adjourned the hearing to Wednesday, January 27, 2021, according to the positions outlined by the Committee leader, Hon. Jerry Uzosike. Also, FENRAD said it is aware that the House Minority Leader, Mr. Chukwu Chijioke, affirmed that no stone shall be left unturned in the ongoing investigation,” the statement said.

It also noted: “Barring the absenting of affected parties – mostly staff of the Ministry of Transport and those from Government House, the hearing, now postponed, would have held.

“In all fairness, honesty and probity, FENRAD wants SEMB to show any auctioning advertorial published online or on any national daily authorising the said auctioning and the Reports and pictorial evidence of the Auctioning and   show also how buses parked at Ministry of Agriculture also got allegedly sold off or missing without due Process. FENRAD would also like to know if, after the sales of the vehicles, monies, in the form of proceeds, were channeled to the state coffers through Board of Internal Revenue (BIR).

“FENRAD establishes that as an advocacy group, it is seeking for justice for common good as well as promote accountability and transparency and ensure public properties are channeled for personal use.

“FENRAD, to this end, urges the seventh assembly to make sure that the last and even least, of this very matter is heard, addressed and justice served.

“FENRAD wants SEMB, State House officials, ministries of agriculture and transport to tell Abians how these vehicles for school bus and public transport purposes (commuting) got missing all of a sudden to exonerate from the illegal auctioning.”