ABIA: A RICH STATE IMPOVERISHED & ENSLAVED (PART 18)

*The N1 billion Agriculture (GESS) Loan Scam
*Ike Onyenweaku & Chukwu Wachukwu’s Role

For a kleptocracy that acquired notoriety in infamy, peculation and impoverishment of its citizenry, rhetoric embellished with deception and bogus claims was essential. Therefore it was not unanticipated when Governor Orji proficiently said thus to pull the wool over Adesina's eyes: “my administration is determined to build an economically viable state, through a sustainable agricultural development.
“From inception, this administration placed a premium on revitalisation of agriculture which in the past was the mainstay of the nation’s economy. Our programme and policy thrust are aimed at boosting food production because of the belief that self-sufficiency in food production is panacea for sustainable democracy and economic growth.” Bravo, isn’t it? Nobody would have been unenthusiastic with this sugar-coated rhetoric; even the bamboozled Adesina applauded and nodded in acquiescence. He wouldn’t have been less impressed.

Responding, the deluded and bamboozled Adesina said, Nigeria spends more than N1.2 trillion and $71 billion on the importation of basic food and fish annually. According to the Minister, “it was for this reason that President Dr. Goodluck Jonathan decided to transform Agricultural sector to stop making farmers of other countries rich through importation of their products while Nigerian farmers are relegated to slaves of other nations.”
But the Minister of Agriculture was wide of the mark; Abia State government had a diverse and underhanded agenda. Therefore to further hoodwink the FG, cheques were presented to the two award winning farmers, Eze, Ajomiwe and Chief Onyenweaku before the minister and other dignitaries who graced the occasion.
As Dr. Adesina made his way out of the venue of the programme, the recipients were cornered behind the curtain and the cheques retrieved from them without explanation. They were asked to drop their First bank account details (the official bank the farmers were directed to open account with for the purpose of the GESS) and wait for alerts that never come even as you read this.


To evaluate its effort, the Federal Government sent delegates to Abia State. When Abia State government got the hint of their arrival, they received the delegate with a state banquet at the government House. Having tried in vain to convince them not to pay a visit to the Cocoa farmer who had repeatedly brought honour to Abia State and Nigeria, the then Commissioner for Agriculture, Ike Onyenweaku and one ADP staff, Mr Ezeala rushed to Chief Nnochiri Onyenweaku and pleaded with the old man to cover Abia State government up. They said they were sent by Governor Orji and appealed to him to acknowledge receipt of N25 million from Abia State government when visited by the delegates. They further lied to the octogenarian Cocoa farmer that the modalities for payment being worked out by Abia government were the reason for the delay.
The hapless and helpless old man knowing the probable consequence of his refusal to oblige opted to play along. The Commissioner for Agriculture, Ike Onyenweaku and Mr Ezeala then brought them to Chief Nnochiri Onyenweaku’s farm. Sensing that something wasn’t right, they asked the octogenarian how much was given to him. Ike Onyenweaku quickly intercepted and yelled, N25 million! They frowned at him and asked him to allow the old man speak for himself. Left with no choice, Pa Onyenweaku admitted receipt of N25 million. But the FG’s delegate expressed their dissatisfaction over the amount considering the magnitude of the Cocoa farm that covers 3,000 hectares of land.

The Abia State commissioner for Agriculture, Ike then asked Pa Onyenweaku to meet them at the Hotel Royal Damgrete ostensibly for his payment but when he got there, they were nowhere to be found and the Abuja delegates had also gone. After several failed attempts to get the money, the old man gave up. However, from the N181.5 million realised from the illegal sell of form, Chief Wachukwu and Ike headed GESS loan committee settled some of the widows and other political loyalists with one million naira each. They were directed to return N700, 000 (seven hundred thousand naira) to them when the money dropped into their various accounts. Of course they did and only had N300, 000 (three hundred thousand naira) left to frolic around. After all they were not farmers so they have nothing to complain about. It was free money they had privileged to enjoy for being sycophants and obsequious factotums.

https://web.facebook.com/obinna.donnorman/posts/1288461837954630

yes, as a matter of fact is true because am from there how can an oil producing state be that underdeveloped our governors are not trying at all. is from one bad leadership to another sha I no otti for governor 2019abians. #soworeforpresidency