Anambra: My exco accuse me of embezzlement for refusing to share money – market chairman
By Julie Sylvia, Onitsha
The chairman of Ochanja Central Market, Onitsha, Anambra State, Chief Bonaventure Muo, hinted that the majority of his executive members, petitioned the State Government, accusing him of embezzlement of market funds.
Disclosing while explaining to newsmen the extent he has gone towards ensuring victory for All Progressives Grand Alliance, APGA, House of Assembly candidates, come Saturday election, he said that their accusation would not deter him from the infrastructural development of the market.
“We have the problem of not sharing government revenue here in the market. About eight of my executive members accuse me of embezzlement because I refuse to share gseatsnment revenue with them. Only seven per cent of the government revenue we collect here is the market take home and this little money that goes to the market is put into the infrastructural development of the market.
“So what they want is to share the government money as the previous administrations have been doing. Having that in mind, some of my executive members bought their seats (membership) on the caretaker committee of the market.
“They have petitioned the Chief of Staff to Governor Charles Chukwuma Soludo, accusing me of embezzlement of the market fund. I am waiting, if I am called, I will go and defend myself. I didn’t buy my seat like some of them claimed they bought their seats from top government functionary,” he further revealed.
“I think I have been able to achieve in less than six months what previous administrations were not able to achieve over the years. I did especially the two roads in the market and ready to do more,” he stated.
On the coming House of Assembly election, Chief Muo said that the traders have been briefed on why they should vote for APGA candidates adding that Soludo has been able to put infrastructure and security in place in less than a year since he assumed office.
“We had line chairmen and secretaries’ meeting where we brainstormed on how to procure victory for APGA candidates. On Thursday, at my country home, Agulu-Uzoigbo, I will host the APGA faithful against the Saturday election. The member representing us in the State House of Assembly, Hon. Ejike Okechukwu, is a nice man who has done a lot towards the infrastructural development of our constituency,” Muo affirmed.
