By Moses Peter, Abakaliki
The Ebonyi State Commissioner for Commerce and Industry, Mr Oguzor Ofia Nwali has debunked the rumour circulating on Social Media that he diverted five hundred million Naira (N500,000,000) out of the three billion naira set aside by the Governor of Ebonyi State, Mr Francis Nwifuru to empower Ebonyi people who are hawking in different cities of Nigeria.
The statement which was written and circulated by Mr Chika Nwoba of the People's Democratic Party PDP alleged that the Commissioner diverted the above fund for personal use and to sabotage the effort of the State Governor who is out to help all Ebonyi people out of poverty.
The State Commissioner for Commerce and Industry said the accusations by Mr Chika Nwoba were unfounded as he is just one of the Seven Man Committee members who is handling the empowerment program.
"It was not my office that handled it, the Committee was made up of the Commissioners of Trade and Investment as Chairman, Skill and Development as secretary; Youths and Sports, Commerce and Industry, Agriculture, Aviation and State President of Francis Ogbonna Nwifuru FON Youth Movement were all Members," Oguzor said.
He informed that the suspected culprit, Mr Chika Nwoba has been arrested by police for peddling false information.
The commissioner said he couldn't divert any money to a committee where he was just a member.
He condemned the actions of some Union Presidents in Anambra, Rivers, and Lagos States among others who are collecting the empowerment money from the beneficiaries.
