The Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) has issued a warning to politicians and individuals in the South-East region, cautioning them against misappropriation of the ₦250 billion allocated for the newly created South East Development Commission.
According to IPOB, the funds should be used for the region’s development, addressing pressing needs such as infrastructure, healthcare, and electricity.
IPOB’s spokesman, Emma Powerful, emphasized the urgency of channeling the funds towards developmental projects and intervention programs in the South-East. He highlighted specific areas that require attention, including; road Construction, healthcare infrastructure, power Generation among others.
The IPOB statement stressed that the people will not tolerate any misappropriation of the funds, warning against irrelevant expenses such as seminars, conferences, or international trips.
A part of the statement read “The attention of the noble IPOB family worldwide has been drawn to the purported sum of ₦250 billion appropriated for the newly created South East Development Commission, under the chairmanship of Dr Emeka Nworgu and supervised by the former Governor of Abia State, Senator Orji Uzor Kalu, who is the Senate Committee Chairman of the Commission.
“If this information is true, we wish to warn Senator Orji Uzor Kalu and those handling this money to ensure that it is not shared among individuals but is utilised for the development of Alaigbo.
“The money is meant to initiate and complete developmental projects in the region. The South-East requires social intervention initiatives and industrialisation that will generate employment for the Igbo youth at this critical time.
“Examples of such projects include the rehabilitation of existing infrastructure, the construction and expansion of roads, the refurbishment of federal hospitals, and the establishment of new healthcare facilities. Additionally, power plants should be built to ensure a stable and affordable electricity supply.
“There is also a need for the construction of free trade zones or industrial parks in Abia and Anambra states to create jobs for our teeming population, as well as the development of functional seaports and international airports.
“We acknowledge that the ₦250 billion alone will not build an airport or a seaport, but since the funds will be allocated annually, they must be utilised effectively. Investments should also be made in human capital by supporting youths with technical and creative skills to develop their natural potential. Ndigbo are naturally endowed with ingenuity and creativity.”
The group stated that what the commission needs to achieve its goal is a secure environment and government support and warned that the public won’t stand for any misuse of funds on things like unnecessary seminars, conferences, or luxury trips abroad.
“This is not the time for politicians to loot the common treasury without accountability. IPOB is here to monitor and expose any wrongdoing and to call out those working against the interests of the South-East region.
“The purported appropriated funds, if true, belong to the entire South-East region, not to any particular state, local government, or community. Any intervention programme undertaken by the SEDC must be evenly distributed across all states and communities in Alaigbo.
“The SEDC board members must ensure that the impact of the ₦250 billion is felt across Igboland. No state or community should be given preferential treatment over another. There must be equity and justice to prevent any form of strife.
“Most importantly, the money must not be stolen or shared among political actors in Alaigbo. Anyone involved in misappropriating these funds will face consequences,” the group warned.
IPOB stressed that the success or failure of the South East Development Commission (SEDC) will largely depend key Igbo leaders, including Senator Orji Uzor Kalu, Dr Benjamin Kalu, and Dr Emeka Nworgu.
source: https://www.intelregion.com/news/ipob-sends-strong-warning-to-politicians-and-others-says-nothing-must-happen-to-n250bn-south-east-development-fund/#google_vignette
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