The Anambra State government has dismissed claims that its appointees are collecting bribes before allocating contracts, stressing that every contract passes through due process.
There have been reports circulating that some officials of local government areas in the state were collecting bribes before allocating contracts.
But in a press statement released on Tuesday, the Commissioner for Information, Law Mefor, said the “false” claims were nothing short of “propaganda from the pit of hell”, orchestrated by individuals seeking to promote insecurity in Anambra State for reasons best known to them.
Mefor warned against fake and unverified news and urged media outlets to verify claims before broadcasting or publishing to the general public.
Citing Nnewi North Local Government Area as an example, the commissioner noted that reports from the Supervisor on Special Duties and Head of Internally Generated Revenue in the LGA indicated that all contracts had been processed through due channels.
He said, “As one in that position, it is normal for the supervisor to know what is happening around his portfolio. The contractor paid only N100 million for the contract, the original amount intended to demonstrate the contractor’s capacity to deliver the job.
“The alleged N40 million in contention was a refund to the previous contractor that was not able to meet the capacity for such a contract.
“The bribery allegation is fake news by malicious elements, and is being it to threaten the peace of the Anambra people. The government will no longer tolerate this blatant attempt to undermine the peace and security in the state by circulating unverified information.
“This is viewed as nothing short of propaganda from the pit of hell, orchestrated by individuals seeking to promote insecurity in Anambra State for reasons best known to them.
“So, let it be known that perpetrators of fake news will henceforth be arrested and visited with the full wrath of the law.”
Reacting to the commissioner’s statement, the Chairman of the Nnewi Local Government Area, Echezona Anazodo, said that contracts are given to companies and contractors that have the capacity to deliver.
“The reason why the the state government is delivering the devidends of democracy to Ndi Anambra is because every contractor must deliver within time allocated to him and Nnewi North Local cannot do otherwise. Only contractor with capacity can get contract in Nnewi North,” Anazodo added.
