Corruption: Delta Lawmaker In Trouble Over Alleged Contract Scam
ASABA, Dec 28, (THEWILL) - Delta State House of Assembly former Chief Whip and lawmaker representing Isoko South Constituency in the state legislature, Hon. Prince Johnson Erijo is currently battling with series of petitions over alleged corrupt practices running into several millions of naira. Erijo has also been accused of allegedly defrauded the state government of millions of naira in several contracts awarded him by the state government. In a petition titled “URGENT NEED TO INVESTIGATE THE HIGHLY FRAUDULENT ACTIVITIES OF HON. JOHNSON ERIJO”, dated 2nd, December, 2010, addressed to the Assistant Inspector General of Police (AIG), Zone 5, Benin City, Edo state, Chairmen of ICPC as well as the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) signed by the National President of Aviara Political Watchdog, Mr. Marioghae Mairo Majovo, it’s Secretary General, Mr. Frank Ovohe and Public Relations Officer, Mr. Ovie Isara respectively and made available to the media in Asaba, the Isoko political pressure group disclosed that the government contract include the clearance and maintenance of Ogbe River in Aviara home town of the legislator for which N49.9million has been allegedly paid since 2008 by the Ministry of Environment and no single work has been done.
“The details, specification, drawing and BOQ for the construction of a modern market at Aviara in Isoko South LGA for which N40 million has been paid to Erijo. This job was not executed according to specifications and the community has demanded for the full investigation into all the contracts and why they were not executed.” The strong worded petition which was also forwarded to the sacked governor of the state, Dr. Emmanuel Uduaghan, Hon. Chief Afejuku (P.D.P. Chairman, Delta South), Director, SSS, Asaba, The Chairman, PDP Screening Committee for State Assembly Aspirants, Commissioner of Police, Asaba and all Isoko South Constituency II Royal Fathers/Leaders further revealed that the following contracts for the supply of equipment for Aviara skill acquisition centre which includes Gas Cooker, Oven and Bosch Freezer, Sewing Machines, Weaving and Digital Embroidery Machines, Pure Water Filling and Sealing Machines, Popcorn Making Machine, Welding Machines and Accessories, Hair Dryers and Accessories, Tyre Maintenance Products and Vulcanizing Machine, Ice Cream Making Machine and Computers and Accessories, which he (Erijo) claimed to have supplied to Aviara community since 2006 with his companies-JONERIS VENTURES LTD, E.J. SYSTEM AND SERVICES (NIG). LTD, PREMIER LINE LTD and ECOTECH INTERNATIONAL LTD were never supplied, the petitioners alleged.
“He has allegedly defrauded /dupe government/Aviara people to the tune of N36.6Million. Where are the equipment kept? He has always bribed the Ministry of Youth and Sports officials and prevented them from visiting the site, Aviara for inspection of the equipment for which he has been fully paid. He should deliver the items to the community Hall or Palace.” According to the transparency group: “He is a legislator and contractor of other projects in Aviara including the Hospital, Road Construction and Grammar School fencing and Lab. Equipment that are not executed according to specification. These unexecuted projects running into hundreds of millions of naira, can be verified from the Ministries of Health and Education. Erijo has defrauded Government and Aviara people and deprived them from getting the dividends of Democracy.” and demanded that Hon. Erijo should therefore come out to explain why he should not go to JAIL adding that “Enough is Enough.” The petitioners expressed confidence in the AIG, SSS, EFCC, ICPC and others to take decisive action on the matter urgently to stop Erijo who they referred to as a “Cheat who we learnt is already warming up for a third tenure in the Delta State House of Assembly when he has nothing on ground for the people for the eight years he has served in the House. We call on investigators to visit all government projects in Aviara Clan purported executed by Hon. Erijo.” adding that for avoidance of doubt they are in possession of all photocopies of letters of award of the various projects listed above. When THEWILL Delta correspondent sought to get comments from Hon. Erijo, he rebuffed all our calls and text messages sent to him. Recall that last week angry youths of Umeh community, Isoko South Local Government Area of Delta State held the embattled lawmaker hostage where he was severely humiliated following his failure to deliver on electoral promises.