The Fleecing of Akwa Ibom State--Part 2: The Contractors

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>A very tiny but powerful cabal is toying with the future of Akwa Ibom State. They are led by a single powerful leader, the Governor of Akwa Ibom State. Together, they are stealing and milking the State dry. Any further delay in checking the deceptive practices of this cabal will leave Akwa Ibom State in a deep financial chaos after their term. The cabal is known as contractors.
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>In a recent press interview, Akpabio explained “that most of the projects in the state were contracted to tested contractors rather than putting them in the hands of incompetent persons who in "the past were interested in collecting mobilization funds and abandoning jobs awarded by the government." Governor Akpabio may be right. But do you know who the “tested contractors” are? Below are some of them.
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>Prince Ukpong Akpabio (the governor‘s cousin):
>Prince Akpabio owns Prill Guards, which is located at 73 Enwe Street, Uyo. His firm is responsible in providing security for government offices and secretariat. Prill investment is responsible for booking flights for Dana Air located at Monty Suites at the Airport. Prince Akpabio also handles protocol for the State Government as a term-contractor responsible for all government supplies. Another firm in the Prill conglomerate is Prill Communication, located at 293 Oron Road, Uyo, which was bought between 2007 and 2008. It owns part of Diamond Bank in Uyo. The firm also handles roofing and security for houses and was awarded the contract to renovate schools in Akwa Ibom State. Prince Ukpong owns a mansion along Etukube Street in Ikot Ekpene.
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>Emem Akpabio:
>Emem Akpabio owns Emem and Sons as a front to obtain government contracts. Emem Akpabio is responsible for direct deductions from Local Government Allocations using various projects, such as ambulance, supplying construction equipment, and fire-trucks to Local Governments
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>Nigerpet Structures Limited:
>This company is owned by Governor Akpabio’s brothers, using a Lebanese as a front. It is run by a former Manager of Mothercat (Construction) . Contract for the recent demolition of structures in Uyo, under the guise of Urban Renewal Program, was awarded to this firm. The firm is also involved in the multi-billion naira Urban Water Reticulation Scheme. All these projects have been in Akwa Ibom State Budgets since 2008. The Company is located at G32 Plot in Ewet Housing Complex in Uyo.
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>Sylvester Okonkwo:
>Akpabio’s friend and a “419” colleague since the days of Emis Telecoms in Lagos, is the one who is awarded a contract to arrange all the various Man of the Year Award ceremonies for Governor Akpabio. More than thirty (30) percent of all Certificate of Occupancy signed by Governor Akpabio are in his name. Sylvester Okonkwo also fronts for Akpabio as the owner of a gravel quarry in Akamkpa. The rumor in Akwa Ibom State is that part of the reasons for the assasination of "Submarine" and his brother is because the family refused to sell the family-owned gravel and sand quarry to Governor Godswill Obot Akpabio, who is is said to own some landed properties next to the quarry.
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>Sinoend Construction:
>Located opposite Amity Hotel at Ewet Housing Complex is owned by the senior sister of Akpabios’ wife. The firm was awarded the contract for the construction of Enen-Nsit and Etebi-Ewang Roads. The contract for the construction of Ikot Ekpene Prison was awarded to this firm, but the company has since abandoned the project after it collected billions of naira.
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>AEC Ltd:
>Is a firm owned by Umana Okon Umana, the Secretary to the State Government. This firm was awarded the contracts for the construction of Use Ikot Amama Road. The contract was later increased to N14 billion, despite the fact that Nung Udoe to Okoita was done by Victor Attah’s administration. This firm has also been awarded the contract for Aka-Obot Idim Road (12km Road) for N12.3 billion.
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>Donald Etim (Commissioner for Works):
>Owns ten (10) companies in one building and they are all consultancy firms. One of them is Deluxe Engineering. Another firm, Spellbound Building and Construction Limited, was awarded a N1.9 billion contract for information drive (whatever that means). Then Lukane Limited (named after Kane Etim, who is Don’s brother) was awarded a N2.7 billion contract to construct Etinan Leprosy Hospital roads and install street lights. The company is located at 41 Brooks Street in Uyo.
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>Nsentip Akpabio (the Governor’s half brother):
>Owns a warehouse at Osong Ama Street where all building materials are sold at exorbitant prices to contractors, under oath, that do business with the State. A contractor who refuses to buy supplies from the warehouse risks having his contract award immediately cancelled. Nsentip also owns Proconnect, an Internet service provider, at 25 Ikot Abasi Street in Uyo. Nsentip runs the Bureau de Change in Calabar for Governor Akpabio, as a conduit for money laundering.
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>Etido Inyang (Special Adviser on Technology):
>Is the person who handles the over N1 billion contract for the design of the failed Tropicana. He also supervises the Alcon fraud at the Airport.
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>Third Investment Limited:
>This firm is owned by Sunny Ibanga. The firm is responsible for supplying workers for construction firms. Also provides catering services and clearing of equipment bought by Atah’s administration for Airport.
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>Diamond Engineering:
>Diamond Engineering is owned by the former disgraced PDP National Chairman, Vincent Ogbulafor. For the past three (3) years, the firm has continued to receive contract awards for rural electrification and running of underground conduit pipes. In 2008, the firm received N10 billion. In 2009, it was N7 billion. In 2010, it is N6.1 billion (please see this years’ budget).