By Charity Uwakwe

Just days after the Ikwuano Local Government Chairman, Dr. Anthony Nwaubani, accused Labour Party Youth Leader Mr. Matthew Okechukwu Francis of attempting to manipulate the electricity project funds through “contradictory documentation and inconsistent presentations,” another community leader has publicly challenged the allegation.

Speaking exclusively to Famous Reporters, yesterday , Wednesday, at Isiugwu-Amizi, in Ikwuano local government area of Abia State, the Isiugwu Women’s leader insisted that Francis never obstructed the project but instead fought to ensure electricity reached the community for the first time.

The women’s leader of Isiugwu community, Mrs. Ngozi Chinatu, has rejected allegations made by Ikwuano LGA Chairman, Dr. Anthony Nwaubani against Labour Party Youth Leader, Mr. Matthew Okechukwu Francis. Chinatu alleged that Francis consistently supported the electricity project and never attempted to divert project funds. He also claimed the contractor said the ₦6.2 million approved for the project was insufficient to complete the work. These are the interviewee’s claims and remain disputed.

Barely days after the Chairman of Ikwuano Local Government Area, Dr. Anthony Nwaubani, in a press statement, alleged that the Labour Party Youth Leader in the council, Mr. Matthew Okechukwu Francis, approached him with youths and “contradictory documentation and inconsistent presentations” in an alleged attempt to have funds released to a contractor, another voice from the benefiting community has emerged with a different account.

Mr. Ngozi Chinatu, a community leader in Isiugwu, has dismissed the mayor’s allegations, insisting that Francis neither stopped the electricity project nor sought to divert funds meant for it.

Speaking in an exclusive interview with Famous Reporters.com, Chinatu maintained that the Labour Party youth leader consistently pressed for the completion of the electricity project, which he described as the first major electricity intervention in the community’s history.

“This is the first time since I was born that I have seen electricity wires brought into my village,” Chinatu said.

According to her, after work commenced, the contractor reportedly informed residents that the ₦6.2 million approved by the government was not enough to complete the project.
Chinatu alleged that the two benefiting communities, hence Isiugwu and Obeal-achara subsequently agreed to contribute additional funds to bridge the shortfall so that electricity could finally be connected.

According to her, the Mayor declined their unsolicited offer, as he queried “who will take the glory if the two benefiting communities contribute” to offset the bill.

Furthermore, she claimed that despite the communities’ willingness to support the project financially, disagreements later arose over funding, after which the contractor allegedly informed residents that the money already released had been exhausted.

According to Chinatu, the contractor also reportedly stated that no further payment had been made to enable him complete the remaining work.

Reacting directly to the allegations against Matthew Okechukwu Francis, Chinatu said:
“No, Matthew did not stop the project. He has been fighting for the light. He has been urging the local government chairman to approve whatever was necessary so that electricity can come to our village.”

He also denied any suggestion that the Labour Party youth leader attempted to collect or share funds allocated to the electricity project.
Meanwhile, Chinatu appealed to Governor Alex Otti to intervene and ensure the project is completed without further delay.

He expressed confidence in the governor’s administration and urged the state government to help bring electricity to the affected communities after years of waiting.

Earlier, Dr. Anthony Nwaubani had alleged that Matthew Okechukwu Francis led some youths to accuse him of attempting to “eat” the money approved for the electricity project. The chairman further claimed he refused to release the funds because the contractor allegedly presented “contradictory documentation and inconsistent presentations,” adding that they “were ready to share it.”

The allegations made by both sides have not been independently verified, and the controversy continues to generate debate within the affected communities.

ISIUGWU COMMUNITY CSO EXONERATES LP YOUTH LEADER, OKECHUKWU

In a related development, Chief Secretary of the affected community in Ikwuano Local Government Area of Abia State, Mr. John also dismissed allegations that the Labour Party Youth Leader in the area, Mr. Matthew Okechukwu Francis, obstructed the ongoing electricity project.

Speaking in an exclusive interview with Famous Reporters, the community leader insisted that Francis had been advocating for the completion of the project rather than frustrating it.

According to him, the electricity project represents the first meaningful effort to provide power to the community.

“This is the first time I have seen electricity wires brought into my village,” he said.

John alleged that the contractor handling the project informed the community that the ₦6.2 million approved by the government was insufficient to complete the work.

He claimed that, following the contractor’s request, the two benefiting communities agreed to contribute additional funds to bridge the shortfall.

According to him, the communities raised the requested money, but the project later stalled after disagreements over the release of funds.

He further alleged that the contractor told residents the money already released had been exhausted and that no additional payment had been made to enable him complete the remaining work.

Appealing to Governor Alex Otti, John urged the state government to ensure the electricity project is completed so that the affected communities could finally enjoy electricity.

“Our message to the Governor is to make sure the light reaches our village. We support Governor Otti, and he is trying,” he said.

Reacting to allegations that Mr. Matthew Okechukwu Francis attempted to influence the handling of the project funds or obstruct the project, John rejected the claims.

“No, no, no. Matthew did not stop the project. He is fighting for the light. He has been urging the local government chairman to approve whatever is needed so that electricity can come to our village,” he stated.

FAMOUS REPORTERS’ FINDINGS

Investigations by Famous Reporters indicate that the benefiting communities had initially recommended a reputable engineer said to be an EEDC field leader in Ikwuano to execute the electricity project. However, community sources alleged that their proposal was rejected by the Chairman of Ikwuano Local Government Area, Dr. Anthony Nwaubani, who reportedly insisted on engaging a different engineer of his choice.

According to findings by Famous Reporters, the engineer recommended by the communities submitted an estimate of ₦10.2 million to complete the project, an amount that exceeded the ₦6.2 million reportedly approved by the Abia State Government.

Community leaders interviewed by Famous Reporters alleged that, after learning of the funding gap, the two benefiting communities—Isiugwu and Obe-achara—offered to contribute the outstanding balance to enable their preferred engineer execute the project.

However, multiple community sources claimed that the proposal was rejected by the council chairman. According to the sources, the chairman allegedly questioned, “Who would take the glory?” if the communities contributed to the project.

Residents who spoke with Famous Reporters believe that the decision marked a turning point in the project and may have contributed to the prolonged delay in completing the electricity installation.

Meanwhile, the engineer eventually engaged for the project reportedly informed residents that he had completed work corresponding to the funds released to him and was awaiting commissioning. However, several community leaders interviewed by Famous Reporters disputed that claim, insisting that the project remains incomplete and questioning how it could be commissioned when critical aspects of the work have allegedly not been finished.

The development has raised fresh questions among residents over the circumstances surrounding the prolonged delay in delivering electricity to the benefiting communities.
Among the questions being asked by community members are:

If the communities were willing to contribute additional funds to bridge the funding gap, why was the proposal reportedly rejected?
If the contractor maintained that the approved funds were insufficient, could a different approach have accelerated the completion of the project?

If the project is yet to be fully completed, what is the basis for any discussion about commissioning it?

As of the time of filing this report, these issues remain the subject of intense public debate within the affected communities. Famous Reporters remains committed to presenting all sides of the matter and will publish any response or clarification from the Ikwuano Local Government Council or any other party mentioned in this report.