DOCUMENTS: How Rochas Okorocha Looted Imo State, Awarded 12 Contracts Worth N20bn To One Firm, ‘N700m for Hand of God’
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Details have emerged on how Imo State was looted to its roots by its immediate past governor, Rochas Okorocha.
LIST OF APPLICATIONS FOR REGULARISATION OF AREA COUNCIL LAND DOCUMENTS NULLIFIED/CANCELLED BY THE HONOURABLE MINISTER OF FCT
Okorocha, now a senator awarded 12 contracts worth N20 billion to Zigreat International Company Limited between November 15, 2013, and November 3, 2017.
LIST OF APPLICATIONS FOR REGULARISATION OF AREA COUNCIL LAND DOCUMENTS NULLIFIED/CANCELLED BY THE HONOURABLE MINISTER OF FCT
In one day, precisely March 9, 2017, three contracts worth over N4 billion was awarded to Zigreat International Company Limited while on October 11, 2016, four different contracts worth over N2 billion was awarded to the same company.
On November 3 and 15, 2013, Zigreat International Company Limited got two contracts worth over N4.4 billion while the same company for a N4.3 billion contract on February 14, 2017.
Curiously, all the contracts awarded by Okorocha’s government were signed by Paschal Obi, then principal secretary to the governor, who is now the member representing Ideato north and Ideato south in the House of Representatives.
Curiously too, Zigreat International Company Limited got its first contract of N700 million from Okorocha’s government three months after it registered at the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC).
The first contract, construction of “Akachi”, an Igbo term which translates as “The Hand of God”, in Owerri, the state capital, was awarded for N700 million.
In a letter dated November 15, 2013, his administration told Zigreat that 25 percent of N700 million would be made available as mobilisation fee.
“I am directed to refer to your quotation of the above contract and to convey His Excellency’s approval that your company Zigreat Intl. Coy. Ltd. undertakes the contract for the Construction of Akachi (Hand of God) at a total contract sum of #700,000,000.00 (Seven Hundred Million Naira) Only,” the letter read.
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“In line with Government Policy on contracts, you are requested to indicate acceptance in writing without delay. You should report to the Principal Secretary to the Governor, Government House, Owerri for details and signing of Contract Agreement, please.”
The ex-governor also approved N683 million for the construction of Community Health Hospital in Ogboko, his hometown in Ideato local government area. Till date, the hospital is in a derelict state.
Also awarded was over N689 million contract for the office blocks of the ministry of happiness headed by Ogechi Ololo, Okorocha’s sister. N5.9 billion was awarded for the construction of police headquarters, phase 1, Owerri and N4.3 billion for the construction of police headquarters, phase 2, Owerri.
All the contracts were awarded in violation of the public procurement act.
In 2010, the administration of Ikedi Ohakim, a former governor, modelled the procurement act of the state after that of the federal government.
The act says to bid for contracts, a company needs to present three years tax clearance, audited accounts, evidence of work experience as the main contractor executing or having executed a minimum of four (4) projects of similar complexity, evidence of possession of relevant machinery and equipment and scanned copies of certificates of technical/professional staff of the company.
Other contracts awarded between 2016 and 2017 are “Construction of Imo State University of Agriculture and Environment in Aboh/Ngokpala, N3.7 billion; reconstruction of sub-treasury building for conversion to government house clinic, N210 million; construction of ministry of Niger Delta office blocks, N611 million; construction of ministry of agriculture office blocks, N611 million; construction of ministry of tourism office blocks, N630 million; construction of IMSU campus at Onuimo, N2.79 billion and construction of ministry of sport office blocks, N690 million.
