Panel On Recovery: We Can’t Turn Deaf Ear To Unbridled Looting, Misuse Of Govt Properties, Lands – Gov. Otti Vows

Governor Alex Otti of Abia State has said his administration will not turn a deaf ear to alleged looting and misuse of government properties, including plots of lands allegedly converted into personal use by top officials of the immediate past government.

The governor said since his administration was inaugurated in the last one month, it has found it difficult to access government properties to continue in the business of governance.

These were words of the governor on Thursday in Umuahia while inaugurating a judicial panel on the recovery of government assets.

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According to the Governor, his administration would have ignored making enquiries into the deeds of the past government but it has continued to receive complaints on what he called “unimaginable and large-scale malfeasance” which involves officials of the immediate past administration.

He said, “We have also experienced unbridled looting and misuse of government properties and resources. Besides we have been experiencing difficulties in accessing government properties, which would usually be available to continue with the business of governance. As at now, so many MDAs find it very difficult to perform their day-to-day duties. Even public schools were not spared as part of their lands have been converted to private use.

“Let me reveal that this administration experienced a very hostile handover situation which made it very difficult for us to hit the ground running on the 29th of May, as we had anticipated. We, therefore, assumed office blindly and had to start practically from below ground zero. We are now discovering that the reason for the lack of cooperation might have arisen from widespread mischief by some of those who were given custody of our collective assets and welfare.

“It is for the foregoing reasons that we came to the conclusion that it would amount to being insensitive and reckless and encouraging bad behaviour, if our administration did not listen to the yearnings of those who elected us, by looking into their complaints. The government decided therefore to set up this Judicial Panel of Inquiry to ensure the recovery of government funds and properties.”

He listed the terms of reference for this judicial panel to include to receive and examine complaints and memoranda from individuals and corporate entities on the looting and or conversion of Government Properties, Funds, and Related Matters and where necessary make recommendations to the government for remedial measures or any other measures as appropriate.

Other terms of reference are, to examine and ascertain whether government moveable and immovable assets and funds or part of it have been illegally acquired /occupied/converted to private use and identify the persons responsible and further make recommendations for recovery and appropriate sanctions and to ascertain the extent of allocation and revocation of land in Abia State from May 2015 – May 2023 and determine the propriety of such allocation and revocation.

The panel is also expected to review the award and execution of contracts from May 2015 to May 2023 and ascertain if they were in conformity with extant laws and to investigate any other matter incidental or related to the foregoing terms of reference and make recommendations to the government based on their findings.

The governor further charged the panel, “As you set upon your duties, we expect an expeditious response from you. Do not hesitate to let us know what further resources and support you may require for the successful execution of this onerous but important task before you.

“May I appeal to the general public to support the panel with any information at their disposal that will help in the recovery of our looted commonwealth.

“All of you have come with excellent recommendations and your antecedents confirm that you will successfully execute this great task for our dear state. I expect you to live up to the high expectations of our people as you contribute to the huge task of rebuilding our state for the benefit of all well-meaning Abia citizens and residents.

“To those of us who have been opportune to serve today, setting up this panel should be a guide to us that someday when we are no more here, the same standards would be used to judge us. It, therefore, behooves on us to conduct ourselves in such a manner that we won’t be found wanting on that day.”