Ichie Uche Mbanaso, who served at different times as Commissioner for Works in Imo State and Mayor of Orlu, has once again come under public scrutiny over allegations concerning the whereabouts of equipment reportedly procured by the administration of former Governor Ikedi Ohakim for the Imo State Rural Roads Management Agency (IRROMA).
The allegations have triggered calls from some Imo residents for the present administration to investigate the matter and, where wrongdoing is established, hold those responsible accountable.
A source in the Imo State Ministry of Works, who pleaded not to be named, alleged that Mbanaso, while serving as Commissioner for Works under the administration of former Governor Rochas Okorocha, and his principal established what was referred to as the Imo State Construction Company.
According to the source, some of the equipment procured by the Ohakim administration for IRROMA was allegedly deployed by the company for road construction during the Okorocha administration.
The source further alleged that some of the roads constructed through direct labour were of substandard quality, claiming that several of them deteriorated shortly after completion.
The source said: “Uche Mbanaso should be held accountable for the numerous alleged irregularities committed during his tenure as Commissioner for Works and Mayor of Orlu. The relevant authorities should investigate the allegations and establish what happened to the equipment procured for IRROMA.”
Meanwhile, a socio-political group, Imolites for Good Governance (IFGG), led by Comrade Godwin Nwafor, has called on the administration of Governor Hope Uzodimma to investigate the allegations against Mbanaso and prosecute him if sufficient evidence of wrongdoing is established.
The group said such action would serve as a deterrent to others who may be tempted to see political office as an avenue for personal enrichment and the acquisition of illicit wealth at the expense of hardworking and less privileged citizens.
IFGG urged the state government and relevant anti-graft agencies to conduct a comprehensive investigation into the alleged disappearance or misuse of the IRROMA equipment and make the findings public.
However, the allegations remain claims and have not been established as facts by a court or any competent investigative authority. Mbanaso should be given an opportunity to respond to the allegations.
