2019 Constituency Projects Scandal: Akwa Ibom State Lawmakers Vs. Accountant General
Former Speaker of the Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly, Onofiok Luke (PDP), claims, reportedly, that contrary to tradition, there were no constituency project nominations in 2019. He did not explain why all of twenty six lawmakers decided to break the long held tradition.
Luke’s claim, although unbelievable and strange, has been corroborated by some members of the 7th Assembly. All over the democratic world, constituency projects are highly sought after perks by lawmakers. I have never heard of lawmakers refusing them until by the 6th session of Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly.
Were provisions made for constituency projects in the 2019 Budget law? How come funds were appropriated and spent according to the revised Accountant General’s Financial Statement and Audited Report for that year?
Lies, Fraud and Voodoo Accounting
It is difficult to believe that AKHA members could neither spot nor reject the inclusion of constituency projects they did not nominate in the Accountant General’s revised Report until some Akwa Ibomites exposed.
All twenty six lawmakers acquiesced, never complaining until now that the fraud genie is our of the bottle. Akwa Ibomites are eagerly waiting to see how their State lawmakers will wiggle out of the scandal.
Also, Commissioner of Economic Development and Ibom Deep Seaport, Akan Okon, claims that 2019 expenditure for constituency projects was a carryover from the previous year.
His explanation rings hollow because it is voodoo accounting to carryover and report the previous year’s expenditure as a 2019 expenditure without clearly stating. It means the Accountant General, Uwem Andrew-Essien, is grossly incompetent and should be booted out of office.
Akwa Ibomites generally believe that lawmakers and some key government appointees are working so hard to cover up massive fraud and lawbreaking related to the 2019 constituency projects scandal.
A whopping N1.057 billion was appropriated and spent in 2019 for the phantom projects. Akwa Ibomites demand accountability and prosecution of offenders.
