By Joyce Remi-Babayeju
A Cross River State based Women professionals group from Cross River North, under the umbrella of Women Accountability Watch WAW, have backed Senator Jarigbe Agom representing Cross River North, Senator, with a
vote confidence on him.
This is following a fake online publication allegation that the senator used a company of family members to execute constituency projects.
However, the group in a statement by their public relations officer, Agbo Aruku, dismissed such reports as malicious and bad politics stressing that the respected lawmaker has not violated any known procurement law in the country.
According to the group, the fact that the projects in question were duly executed were of more importance than who executed it.
They further said at a time when “we only hear about approvals for contracts without seeing their execution in some parts of Cross River State, Senator Jarigbe has scored high in his attraction and execution of contracts in Cross River North.
“Senator Jarigbe remains unbeatable in projects execution amongst his peers in the state.
“He has delivered on roads, solar light installations, borehole drillings, schools renovation and equipping as well as in empowerment and scholarship awards.”
“We hereby caution all those behind these allegations to desist from distracting our Senator from focusing on developmental work he is carrying out in the constituency or face the full weight of wrath of the law.”
Aruku highlighted that the Procurement Act 2007 in Sections 16(1) and 54(1)(b) together imply that:
- Family members of public officials aren’t barred from bidding if they meet eligibility criteria (Section 16(1)).
- Public officers shouldn’t have private interests in procurement contracts, emphasizing transparency (Section 54(1)(b)).
Citing the above Section from the Constitution, the group said Senator Jarigbe has not breached any law since he is not a director in the company, and the company was duly eligible, and the projects executed transparently.
They restated their confidence in Senator Jarigbe and his style of representation, adding that Cross River North has never had it so good.
