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From Tony John, Port Harcourt
The leadership of Concerned Citizens of Ikwerre/Emohua Federal Constituency in Rivers State has invited the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) and Fiscal Responsibility Commission (FRC) to investigate the performance and execution of federal government projects in the area. The group, which said it has been staging sensitisation rallies to educate the constituents on the plans and programmes of the federal government for the people and to call lawmakers to account for the commonwealth, said the era of ‘powerful men and women’ diverting projects funds meant for the people was over.
Convener, Okwu Bethel-Chimzie, addressing journalists, yesterday, alleged that lives of leaders of the group had severely been threatened and bribes offered to kill the initiative.
He disclosed that the Concerned Citizens of Ikwerre/Emohua Federal Constituency sought and obtained detailed list of projects sanctioned by the federal government for the people of the constituency in the 2024 Appropriation Act.
Bethel-Chimzie explained: “These projects were domiciled in different federal ministries and agencies, including Ministry of Works, Science and Technology, Agriculture and Food Security, Information and National Orientation, Humanitarian and Poverty alleviation among others.
“For the past three months, we have been on a sensitisation programme across the 27 wards of the constituency, with thousands of materials to educate our people about the plans and programmes of the federal government for their welfare in the 2024 fiscal year.
“This effort to help give hope to our people, in the face of wanton lack, hunger and confusion, in line with the Renewed Hope Agenda of the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, has attracted hate towards the leaders of this initiative, and crowned with a failed attempt at elimination. Direct and indirect threats had been issued at different times, and bribes offered. But, we have resolved not to be distracted by such threats or bribes.”
