*Debunk allegations of N1.6 billion and abuse of office, berate Akpobasa

By Matthias Ogbagah

UGHELLI – THE Executive chairman of Ughelli North local government area, Delta State, Olorogun (Barr.) Jaro Egbo, KSC, has given the report of his stewardship in his ten months in office, berated his critics, and debunked the allegation of N1.6 billion embezzlement leveled against him.

Egbo describes the allegation as a baseless and calculated attempt to tarnish his hard-earned reputation before the right-thinking members of society by some disgruntled and unscrupulous element in the council area.

While dusting himself of the financial misappropriation and abuse of office allegations, Egbo, expressed dissatisfaction of assassination of his character by some suppose brothers and friends, he distances himself of his involvement with Skyviaro Properties Development Company Limited and there has been no breach of due process or statutory guidelines in any contract awards under my administration.

“Let it be unequivocally stated that Skyviaro Properties Development Company Limited is not a registered contractor with the Local Government, has not been awarded any contract, and is not personally owned or operated by me. I resigned from any involvement with the said company, and there has been no breach of due process or statutory guidelines in any contract awards under my administration.

“The allegation of N1.2m and N400m is baseless, the monies are gifts to me during my dedication and thanksgiving service, not money meant for the council as alleged by Ovoke Akpobasa and his cohorts.

“The deliberate spread of misinformation, spearheaded by Mr. Ovoke Akpobasa, an Executive Assistant to the Governor on Diaspora Affairs, is a calculated attempt to tarnish my reputation, discredit my administration, and cast aspersions on the government of His Excellency, Rt. Hon.. Sheriff Oborevwori. Such reckless and defamatory actions are not only unbecoming of a public office holder but also pose a serious threat to public trust and governance”.

While reiterating his commitment to bring even developments to the council area through transparency, accountability, and good governance during a press briefing with selected journalists in the state, he said, “I remain steadfast in my commitment to transparency, accountability, and good governance, and I am confident that a thorough and objective review of this matter will expose the baseless nature of these allegations.

“Let it be known that I will not be deterred by falsehood and character assassination. My focus remains on delivering effective governance and upholding integrity and service to the people”.

Egbo urges the public to disabuse their minds of the rumour of his purported suspension by elders and leaders of his family (Abovwe family) of the Uduere community, Ughelli North local government area, Delta State.

He said the sponsors of the purported suspension document making rounds on social media are the handiwork of mischievous individuals who bent to force themselves into power and office against the laid-down policy. He described the rumors and the document as a fraudulent fabrication, saying none of the recognized Abovwe family executive committee members endorsed it. Instead, it bears the signatures of individuals who, quite frankly, did not comprehend what they were signing.

According to him, he has no grudges with the Ughelli North chairman of the defunct People’s Democratic Party (PDP), Comrade Lucky Ofomukoro.

“I want to put it on record that Mr. Lucky Ofomukoro is my personal friend, and in no time did I have any quarrel or confrontation with him in a public gathering. The rumors peddling around are a calculated attempt to discredit my personality. We worked very closely while he held sway as the L.G.A Party Chairman, and he was very supportive of my Administration”.

Egbo gave list of his achievements in ten months in office, saying he is committed to service delivery and infrastructural development of Ughelli North Local Government Area Council, vowed to continue to deliver on the RENEWED Hope of President Ahmed Bola Tinubu and the MORE Agenda of Governor Sheriff Oborevwori to the Good people of Ughelli North.

Egbo disclose that his achievements in office for the past ten months spans throughout the local government area includes; renovation of the chairman’s office, vice chairman, leader of the house of legislatives army of the council, office of the Secretary to the council area, HPM’s office, renovation of the councilors’ office.

Others include; purchase of eight official vehicles for principal officers, Toyota Prado and Tacoma Hilux for office of the chairman, Toyota Camry for vice chairman, Toyota Corolla the leader of legislative arm, Secretary to the council area, HPM’s office, renovation of the councilors’ office, the Treasurer and Toyota Hiace for the press unit.

Construction of Children’s Cottage Hospital, construction of Doctors and Nurses quarters in the children’s hospital, construction of ultra-modern storey building secretariat, construction of an area customary court Ughelli, renovation/furnishing of four unit block buildings and fencing in the D.D.P.A housing estate for the Operation Sweep, procurement of 300 writing desks/benches to primary and secondary schools in the council area, provision of school uniforms, textbooks, and writing materials to pupils, purchase and installation of a 500 KVA transformer in Ekrabovwe quarters, prompt payment of salary to council workers, and many others.