Imo: Abraham Nwankwo-led Financial Advisory Committee begins sitting

A financial advisory committee saddled with the task of carrying out a forensic audit and reviewing “all financial transactions” under the administration of former Imo State Governor, Rochas Okorocha, has been inaugurated on Monday, June 10, 2019.

Imo Governor, Emeka Ihedioha, had last week Thursday approved the constitution of the committee which is expected to review loans and fanatical disbursements approved by Okorocha who presided over the state from 29 May 2011 – 29 May 2019.

The committee has the former Director-General of Debt Management Office (DMO), Dr. Abraham Nwankwo, as its chairman, and Mr. Nick Opara Ndudu. as its secretary.

The committee comprises the following members: Nze Charles Onwunali, Kelechi Omeni-Nzewuihe, Chime Aliliele, Charles Nwogu, UdezeIbezim, and Ify Maureen Okafor.

The committee was inaugurated today (Monday) by the Secretary to the Imo State Government, Uche Onyeagucha, in Owerri, the state capital.

The committee’s responsibilities include, “to ascertain and document the locations of and balances on all bank accounts operated by Imo State government, its Ministries, Departments and Agencies as at May 29, 2019.

“To review all financial transactions and where necessary a forensic audit, with a view to ascertaining sources of funds and the application of same.

“To review such disbursements/applications of State resources to ascertain the propriety of charges levied on accounts, interest payment on loans and deposits where applicable, authorization, etc.

The committee will also, “review the operations of the Imo State Board of Internal Revenue (BIR) with a view to recommending appropriate strategies to reposition the agency for better performance and sustained growth.

The panel will, “conduct governance/financial reviews of key agencies of government with a view to “Documenting all revenues generated or subventions/allocations between 2011 -2019, Reviewing the propriety of applications/disbursements of State resources between 2011 -2019, and Recommending measures that would strengthen internal controls and enhance the performance of those key agencies of government.”

There have been calls on Ihedioha, who was sworn in as Imo governor on May 29, to probe the administration of his successor, Okorocha.

A former Governor of Imo State, Achike Udenwa, had said: “Rochas came as a redeemer because of the poor performance of Ohakim. People thought the redeemer had come. He was very deceitful and promised them everything. He promised them good governance, welfare, free education and so on only for people to now find out he was fake.

“The assets he has acquired is too much. If there is a doubt about that, let there be a probe and let the public know all those assets and how he acquired them. There is no harm in being probed. After all, Ohakim probed me. It’s not new,” said Udenwa.

Culled from The Whistler