Traders in Edo State are at war over the N100 million grants which was reportedly doled out to them by former Governor Adams Oshiomhole in 2013 for their (traders) welfare.
First to fire a salvo is the president of Traders Welfare Union of Nigeria (TWUN), Comrade Lucky Orukpe, who petitioned the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) alleging that the chairlady of Edo Market Women, Madam Blacky Omoregie Ogiamie, diverted largesse.
He further alleged that he had made series of investigations in the past eight years to know the beneficiaries of the grant in the 18 local government areas of the state but have not pinpointed anyone who had benefited from the said grant.
He said along with members of the association, they believed that the grant has been mismanaged.
Among other things, the TWUN president asked the anti-graft agency and other relevant agencies to compel Madam Ogiamie to produce the full statement of account of those who benefited from the grant.
He further asked the commission to demand for verifiable names of beneficiaries of the grant, account numbers, valid phone numbers and number of market women from each senatorial district of the state that benefited from the grant.
Reacting to the allegation, Madam Ogiamie said Orukpe is not a member of the association and insisted that the money in question was expended in line with the ex-governor’s directives.
She said that the association had taken note of his antics and accordingly warned its members not to associate with him on any issue whatsoever.
Madam Ogiamie said: “It is a fact that Comrade Adams Oshiomhole gave us N100 million in 2013, but he did not add that that Oshiomhole also gave us clothes, wrappers, foodstuffs, among other things which we shared to all our members then.
“Some of the beneficiaries of these gift items and money are now deceased. Do we now go to the graveyard to get their testimony?”
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