Delta lawmaker challenges contractor on compromising video, alleges threat to life

The raging controversy over the directive by Mr. Evance Ivwurie, Chairman of the Delta State House of Assembly Committee on Works on Chief Luke Okpunor, the contractor handling Sector “C” of the Asaba-Ughelli road to pay back N7.4 billion to government coffers for non-performance took another turn yesterday, as the lawmaker dared the contractor to make public, the closed circuit television (CCTV) footage where he (Ivwurie) made “unholy demands” from him without delay.

Besides, Ivwurie (representing Ethiope East), who spoke in Asaba, urged Okpunor to explain what he meant by “unholy demands,” adding: “I also dare him to make such footage public now and without delay, if they do exist, just as I have made public his text messages to me, offering me and my committee “welfare package” to compromise us, which I rejected in my reply text to him.”
 
Ivwurie alleged that Okpunor had boasted to him on the phone on November 27 and 28, this year, that he (Okpunor) would stop at nothing to deal with him and crush him, noting: “On the basis of his threat on me, I have directed my lawyers and they are currently reviewing Okpunor’s threats to my life and his aspersion on my integrity.”

Ivwurie added: “The public is assured that ethics complaints against any contractor and government personnel will be investigated to know how well those contracts are completed.

“I do not want to score political points; I want to solve problems. Our work and determination to perform is not personal or targeted at any body or any contractor. We are engaging and holding to account all erring contractors.”