Mr. Onofiok Luke, a lawmaker from Akwa Ibom has reacted to the MAWA FOUNDATION story that shows how the Universal Basic Education Commission (UBEC) spent N100 million to construct two blocks of classrooms as his constituency project.
In an email sent to MAWA by Mr. Aniekan Udofia, his media aide, the Akwa Ibom lawmaker exonerated himself from the N100 million expended on his constituency project, while pointing out that UBEC should be held responsible for all monies spent.
He, however, said he only nominated the constituency project and did not in any way participated in its execution, and that he has no link with the companies UBEC hired to implement the projects.
“Mr. Onofiok Luke, in the discharge of his responsibility to his constituency, only nominated. He neither executed the projects nor is he connected to the company which executed them” the lawmaker said.
The lawmaker claims the N100 million is for five different projects that cost the sum of N20 million each, which included, six Classroom Blocks with furniture, fittings, store, and toilet at four communities in Ikot, Obio, Inyang, and Iman in Etinan Local Government Area of Akwa Ibom State.
He, however, pointed out that UBEC is yet to release funds for the execution of the remaining project which is the ICT Centre for Nsit Ibom.
The lawmaker claimed that UBEC awarded the project at N14.250 million each to contractors hired by them.
A project the Akwa Ibom lawmaker has since denied taking part in while shifting all responsibilities to UBEC.
This is even as Tracka, a public accountability organization that visited the project site says only two blocks of classrooms were constructed at Ikot Obio Iyang, while furniture is yet to be supplied.