The proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), has warned politicians, and individuals in the South-East against embezzling the ₦250 billion appropriated for the newly created South East Development Commission (SEDC),.
The group insisted that the funds should be used solely, for the region’s development.
In a statement issued on Sunday by IPOB’s spokesperson, Emma Powerful, the group emphasised the urgent need for developmental projects, and intervention programmes in the South-East, stating that the funds should be channelled towards the region’s progress.
Powerful outlined examples of such projects, including the construction and expansion of roads, the rehabilitation of federal hospitals, the establishment of new healthcare facilities, and the building of power plants to provide reliable and affordable electricity.
“The attention of IPOB 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 sea ports and international airports,” IPOB said.
Acknowledging that the ₦250 billion alone will not build an airport or a sea port, the organization said since the funds will be allocated annually, they must be utilized effectively.
It advised that investments should also be made in human capital, by supporting youths with technical, and creative skills to develop their natural potentials, adding that Ndigbo are naturally endowed with ingenuity and creativity.
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IPOB stressed that all the commission requires is a safe environment, and government’s support to achieve its objectives, warning that the people will not accept any misappropriation of the funds through frivolous seminars, conferences, or foreign trips.
“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,” it added.
The body further warned that the money should not be stolen or shared among political actors in lgboland, saying that people involved in misappropriating the funds will face the consequences.
