By chijioke hilary
Following the exclusive revelation by Trumpeta newspapers that a whooping N14m was allegedly misappropriated in the course of executing a contract for the state-owned Imo Broadcasting Corporation, IBC, the contractors involved in the job has been ordered back to the station.
It would be recalled that Trumpeta last week revealed how interested parties involved in the award of N14m “Earthing” contract not only failed to fully execute the project but also paid the contractor half of the agreed amount. Trumpeta went further to disclose that a serving aide to the State Governor who held sway in one of the State Ministries was responsible and knew details of what transpired as only N6m out of the N14m was paid to the contractor.
The underpayment of the total sum said to have been released by the Governor to do IBC Earthing reportedly stagnated execution of the contract leading to a poor job. The ill fated contract however led to partial loss of sensitive equipment in both Orient TV and Radio control rooms.
Trumpeta investigations further revealed that the consequences that warranted the release and funding of the N14m was not realized as IBC Stations periodically went “off air” during stormy and unfavourable weather conditions. More so, the unprotected control rooms of the two stations are in bad shape because of their vulnerability to thunder and lightening.
Disturbed by the Trumpeta report that hinges on fraud on the part of government, authorities of the state government waded in and to avoid further scandal directed the contractor to return to work at the complex.
When our reporter visited the complex for verifications yesterday, work seems to have resumed on the Earthing contract.
What may have also prompted Government to recall the contractor was the colossal damage the control room of the Orient Radio and TV Stations suffered. Since the Earthing contract was entrenched to arrest thunder and lightening during unfavorable weather conditions, IBC has always went “off air” whenever it rains or thunder. In the process, the control rooms suffered monumental loss leading to poor services in transmission.
Meanwhile, the leadership of some affected workers union is facing threats of victimization for agitating for better equipment and working conditions. The union leaders are facing tough challenges as a result of their request that due process be observed in all dealings in the corporation.
