Nigeria: Orji Sets Up Panel On Housing, Property Devt

Umuahia — GOVERNOR Theodore Orji of Abia State weekend inaugurated a six-man Judicial Panel of Inquiry to look into the activities of the state Housing and Property Development Corporation even as he tasked the panel not to witch-hunt anybody.

Governor Orji told the Justice Emele Onuoha-led panel that its duty was fact finding and advised members to do their job "without fear or favour".
However, according to the governor, in the course of its assignment, the panel was at liberty to name people who it believes contributed one way or the other to the problems bedevilling the corporation.
Vanguard learnt that the corporation is indebted to some financial institutions and others to the tune of over N1.3 billion.

The governor said, "do not witch-hunt any person but bring out facts that will make us move the corporation forward. The panel is not for witch-hunting, it is a fact finding panel. The company has existed for years but we have not seen anything there. We are disillusioned.

"The people have been complaining. The people want government to look into the activities of the corporation. It is not an ordinary panel, it is a judicial panel and your decision can be taken as judicial pronouncement. We expect you to do your best for the state."
In his remarks, the chairman of the panel, Justice Emele Onuoha said members accepted the assignment "with a sense of responsibility" and promised that they would their best.
"I know the importance Government attached to this. God being on our side, we will succeed", even as he called for prayers from the people.

Other members of the panel were Mrs. U.G. Uche-Ikonne, Mr. Uche Ihediwa, Mr. Udo Uduma, Bishop S. M. otuonye and Mr. Joseph Ogwo.

VANGUARD NEWS