Confusion rocks the Wakirike Cluster as N52.97m meant for the development of Okrika and Ogu/Bolo communities misappropriated. The said amount was provided by the management of the Shell Petroleum Development Company (SPDC) in the implementation of its Global of Memorandum of Understanding (GMoU) with it host communities.
One Dean Sandy Emmanuel is the chairman of the said cluster, while Bar. Benebo is the secretary, the both officers are from Okrika.
Some members of the Wakirike Cluster Development Board (CDB) are calling for the sack of the chairman, Mr. Emmanuel due to his high handedness in term of sharing formular of the said amount.
A member of the Board who pleaded for anonymity told our local government correspondent that the Wakirike Cluster is made up of twenty-two (22) communities and going by this each community is due for certain amount.
It was reliably gathered that about N14.6m was earmarked for impacted communities, but all of a sudden, they were all excluded.
The Newswriter further gathered that N5.2m was voted as administrative expenses, adding that the offiomina-Ama which Mr. Emmanuel allegedly belongs received more than N7m which now become the major bone of contention.
The basic reason why the board members are demanding for his sack was allegedly mismanagement of initial payment of N30m for office rent and purchasing of office equipment. According to information reaching our crime desk, Mr. Emmanuel secured an office space in the Palace of King Oputubeya, but later moved to Okochiri, Okrika owing to the fact that SPDC did not approve the office space.
All efforts to contact Mr. Emmanuel failed, as he refuses to pick his calls.###
Bennett James
