Cross River State women under the banner of Women Accountability Watch (WAW) have parried corruption allegations against the Senator representing Cross River North Senatorial District, Jarigbe Agom.
Some online outlets had claimed that the lawmaker used a company of family members to execute constituency projects, which is against the Code of Conduct Bureau (CCB).
WAW Public Relations Officer, Agbo Aruku, in a statement on Monday, faulted the reports, stating that the senator has not violated any procurement law as family ties do not equate personal involvement in private business transactions.
Aruku described the allegations as malicious and bad politics.
According to her, the fact that the projects in question were duly executed was of more importance than who executed them.
She further said that 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 project execution amongst his peers in the state. He has delivered on roads, solar light installations, borehole drillings, school renovations and equipping, as well as in empowerment and scholarship awards.
“We wish to caution all those behind the allegations to desist from distracting our senator from the developmental work he is carrying out in the constituency or face the full weight of wrath.”
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, emphasising transparency (Section 54(1)(b)).
Drawing from the above, she said Jarigbe had not breached any law as he is not a director in the company, and the company was duly eligible, and the projects executed transparently.
She restated their confidence in Jarigbe and his style of representation, adding that Cross River North has never had it so good.
