By Edson Akpata
The incoming governor of Edo State must as a matter of urgency invite the Economic and Financial Crime Commission, EFCC, and the Independent Corrupt Practice Commission, ICPC, to look into alleged massive contract fraud that is said to have taken place under the supervision of Engr Ferguson Enabulele and where he got over one billion Naira invested in his farm as a Permanent Secretary.
It is said that five (5) of the major beneficiaries of the road contracts awarded under his watch belong to him, with two of those companies having more contract value than Setraco and Hartland in the last one year.
The alleged fraud is in the public domain that one of the companies he has substantial interest was recently awarded a contract with 25% upfront payment, a procedure that is against the policy of the ministry to give contractors mobilization for new project. The company JEZUWA NIG LTD is one of the firm that has assisted the Permanent Secretary to divert funds for a new asphalt plant they are currently building with the proceeds of fraud from government contract.
The 10% Engr Ferguson Enabulele claims he gives to the governor from every payment received by contractors is either paid into an account authorized by Engr Enabulele or converted to United States Dollars and handed over to him as cash.
Investigation has shown from details of payments to contractors accounts that 10% of payments to contractors are either transferred to a certain account for conversion to US Dollars depending on the bureau de change operators being used before payment is made or the day after.
One of the accounts for forceful collection of 10% to the Governor belongs to JEZUWA NIG LTD while other accounts will be handed over to the anti-graft agencies as investigation continues.
Investigation is equally ongoing regarding the involvement of some of the Ministry engineers who equally assist the Permanent Secretary to keep such funds with their registered company accounts with banks and later convert such to US dollars.
As at the time of filing thus news, both the government’s Commissioner for Communication and Engr Enabulele have not responded to calls to hear the side of their story.