The former Commissioner in Imo State on Foreign and International Affairs, Dr Fabian Ihekweme, otherwise known as Omu-De Ancient Seer, has lamented alleged inflation of multi-billion contracts under Governor Hope Uzodimma.
He asserted that corruption in Imo State has now reached “alarming heights” under the administration of Governor Uzodimma, leaving residents and citizens in deep worry and lamentation.
Ihekweme, who made this known in a statement on Monday expressed his concern over the state’s current governance, which he believed, is riddled with malpractices.
He outlined troubling discrepancies in the state’s infrastructure budgets, noting that the Owerri-Okigwe road project, originally budgeted at N58 billion, had been allegedly inflated to an “astonishing N125 billion.”
“Similarly, the Owerri-Orlu road, initially set at N45 billion, has seen its cost soar to N105 billion after multiple revisions. Dr. Ihekweme poses critical questions regarding the state’s financial transparency: “How much is Imo State actually paying contractors for these road projects?
“Is Governor Hope Uzodimma working for his own companies or for the people of Imo State? Shouldn’t we have access to information about how much Imo State is spending on these road constructions?”
Ihekweme also raised concerns about the fate of the Nekede Zoo in Owerri, a significant cultural and tourism asset for the people of Imo State.
He questioned, “Where have the animals and botanical trees of the zoo been relocated?
“I hope the lions, rare monkeys, and other native species preserved there have not been harmed or misappropriated for illicit purposes.”