DLA Probe: Delta Assembly Vows To Recover All Illegally Auctioned Heavy Duty Equipment

The Delta State House of Assembly Committee on Works on Tuesday, March 17, rounded off public sitting on its probe of alleged illegal sales of serviceable heavy duty equipment at the Direct Labour Agency, DLA.

The Chairman of the committee, Hon Emeka Nwaobi in his closing remarks, said the committee will take a wholistic look at its findings and come up with a report on the investigation.

Hon Nwaobi who represents Aniocha North in the House, said the committee had gotten all it needed for a detailed report on the investigation but could reconvene when the need arises.

Flanked by some members of the Committee, including Honorables Emmanuel Sinebe, Anthony Elekeokwuri, Emomotimi Guwor and Solomon Ighrakpata, the Lawmaker expressed the determination of the House to help the state government recover all the serviceable heavy duty equipment illegally auctioned at the Direct Labour Agency, DLA.

He said the alleged illegal sales of the serviceable equipment was carried out by the last Board of the Agency led by a former Speaker of the House, Rt Hon Franc Enekorogha, who he said refused to appear before the committee despite invitations extended to him.

DLA Management at the probe hearing

Hon Nwaobi commended those that honored the invitations of the committee to publicly testify before it of their involvement in the auctioning process at the DLA.

The Lawmaker assured that those not culpable would be exonerated, while recommendations would be made on those found wanting for appropriate action, saying the illegally sold equipment must be recovered.

Hon Nwaobi stressed that it was sad for some persons to have connived to auction serviceable machineries acquired by the state government for road construction and maintenance in the state.

In their contributions, Honorables Anthony Elekeokwuri, Emomotimi Guwor, Solomon Ighrakpata and Emmanuel Sinebe, reiterated the commitment of the committee towards ensuring that the state recovers all the alleged illegally sold properties of the DLA.

The Lawmakers observed that diligent and due process were not followed in the auctioning, maintaining that the sad aspect of the exercise was sales of equipment that were serviceable and still very useful and needed in the agency’s operations.

They decried the manner at which the last board operated against the detects of relevant laws in the state including that establishing the Direct Labour Agency, DLA.

Others at the Probe Hearing

A member of the last board of the DLA, Mr Blessing Enamuotor who was reappointed into the present board of the agency, alleged that the sales of the equipment were solely executed by the then Director General of the board, Rt. Hon Franc Enekerogha, stressing that members were not carried along on the auctioning exercise.

He appealed that himself and the others be exonerated as they knew nothing about the transactions, saying that their image and integrity was at sake.

The Chairman of the committee, Hon Emeka Nwaobi reassured that the committee will not indict anyone not culpable in the alleged illegal sales of the equipment.

Some major actors in the auctioning of the equipment, including the Board of Survey, the Auctioneer and some management staff of the agency gave account on their involvement in the exercise and tendered documents that would assist the committee in the probe exercise.