SecretReporters
The former special adviser on community relations in Cross River State Signor Omang Idiege has not only proven to be wearing corruption as a crown but has it as his insignia as SecretReporters learned of his alleged refusal to release the de-shelling machines delivered to him by the governor for the Bekwara Community all in a bid to convert the machines into his private property.
In fulfilling his first tenure promise of building one cottage industry across the 18 local government areas of Cross River state so as to create a viable neighborhood jobs and curb rural-urban migration and also following a report by the Channels TV Calabar correspondent, Imani Odey, of the Bekwara people requesting for machines to ease their stress of breaking groundnuts with their bare hands, this online news medium learned that early this year the governor of Cross River state took delivery of a container load of 40 Groundnuts de-shelling machines and mini compact oil extracting machines intended to be distributed to Bekwara Community.
According to governor Ayade, while imploring the chiefs and community leaders to look for choice locations for the project takeoff after the machines were said to have been received by Signor Omang Idiege, the distribution of the equipment will span across four different locations within the Bekwara local government Area.
Shockingly, the de-shelling machines which was delivered to the Bekwara community was said to have been packed for months and kept under lock and key with most of the equipment depreciating in the Gakem Council hall under the care of the local government authorities and Signor Omang Idiege, who is also the immediate past Chairman of Bekwara Local Government Area security committee.
Farmers in Bekwara community, however, lament over the time lag in installing the already procured de-shelling machines as such delay is not only hindering the processing of their farm products but may also be seen as an opportunity for the leaders of the community and Signor Omang to embezzle funds if not checkmated.