Abandoned Federal Projects: Group Berates Abia Federal Lawmakers

A Right Group in Abia, known as The Abia Patriots (TAP), has expressed shock over the recent report published by BudgIT Tracka which indicated that several federal projects situated in Abia, that were fully paid for were utterly abandoned.

The group said the report is a stark reminder of the complacency and ineptitude of many Federal lawmakers from Abia state.

TAP made this public in a statement on Thursday, endorsed by their Secretary General, Mazi Adindu Madumere and made available to newsmen in Umuahia.

The statement said the group is appalled by what it described as the lack of oversight and accountability demonstrated by our lawmakers.

“We, The Abia Patriots, are shocked and dismayed by the recent report from Tracka, a public accountability group, revealing that about 20% of abandoned fully paid Federal projects secured as constituency projects are located in Abia state. This alarming statistic is a stark reminder of the complacency and ineptitude of many Federal lawmakers from Abia state”.

“According to BudgIT Tracka’s report, a staggering N32.2 billion was mismanaged on “phantom” projects in Abia state, where funds were paid but no site existed. This is a clear case of legislative fraud and a gross abuse of public trust. We question the role of our Federal lawmakers, especially ranking members like the Deputy Speaker Hon Ben Kalu, in ensuring that these projects are completed and serving the people”.

“As The Abia Patriots, we are appalled by the lack of oversight and accountability demonstrated by our lawmakers. It is their constitutional duty to ensure that public funds are used effectively and efficiently. Instead, they have turned a blind eye to the mismanagement of funds and the abandonment of critical projects that could have improved the lives of our people”.

“We demand answers from our Federal lawmakers, particularly the Deputy Speaker, on why these projects were abandoned and why the funds were mismanaged. We also call on the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) and the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to investigate these cases of legislative fraud and bring the perpetrators to justice”.

“We, The Abia Patriots, have concluded plans to investigate these apparent cases of legislative fraud and will stop at nothing to ensure that those responsible are held accountable. We will also work towards ensuring the recall of culpable Federal lawmakers from the National Assembly”.

“The people of Abia state deserve better. We demand transparency, accountability, and good governance. We will not rest until those responsible for this mismanagement are brought to justice”.