Youths in the Ohaji/Egbema Local Government Area of Imo State, have written to the state governor, Hope Uzodinma, seeking the refund of N114,951,572 counterpart fund allegedly paid by Watersmith Petroman Oil Company and the Imo State Oil Producing Areas Development Commission for the electrification of the area.

A petition addressed to the governor and signed by the President, National Congress of Ohaji Youths, Emmanuel Ugorji, alleged that the funds which were paid during the aborted administration of Emeka Ihedioha had been ‘misused.’

The petition partly reads, “Your Excellency, we have observed with utmost dismay the misappropriation of N114, 951, 572 counterpart fund paid by ISOPADEC and Waltersmith Petroman Oil limited, for the Umuapu/Obitti/Awarra Court Areas electricity project. The fund is alleged to have been withdrawn for other purposes by the present government.

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“Recall that this laudable developmental project was initiated by the aborted administration of Emeka Ihedioha which demonstrated his commitment towards the development of these areas and Ohaji-Egbema. We had anticipated that you would sustain and continue this project.

“The panel of inquiries constituted by Ohaji-Egbema people had submitted that the electricity project fund was intact a few months after your inauguration, but the recent development where the electricity project fund has been withdrawn by this government without consideration of the importance of this project is unacceptable by the entire Ohaji youths and we enjoin you to direct the refund of the Electricity Project Fund.”

The state Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Declan Emelumba, said that the funds were intact.

He said, “The governor is committed to developing the area. The money will be used for the purpose, believe me.”