In a swift reaction to an allegation being circulated in a viral video by an APC Chieftain, Chief Charles Ogbonna that a total of ₦6.2 billion was used for the reconstruction and rehabilitation of Aba Town Hall, a former Mayor of Aba South Local Government Area, Chief Uche Wogu, has described the information as false.
Wogu, who was the Mayor of Aba South when the project was executed, made it clear that the total of ₦149,224,446, was spent on the facility damaged during the #EndSARS protests.
The former Mayor explained further that the rehabilitation project was initiated by him while in office, adding that he personally worked out the construction details and cost estimates in collaboration with the Head of the Department of Works, Engineer ID Ngwakwe, and his team.
According to him, the project was executed through the direct labour method, after the total construction cost was approved and ratified by the Finance and General Purposes Committee of Aba South Local Government Council on December 14, 2023.
The former Mayor pointed out that the entire project, from inception to completion, was closely supervised by the then Honourable Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Prince Uzo Nwachukwu, revealing further that he had already made available an extract from the minutes of the Finance and General Purposes Committee meeting of Aba South Local Government Council, documenting the ratification and approval of the project expenditure.
Wogu therefore urged the public to rely on the official records of the Council when assessing claims concerning the cost of the Aba Town Hall reconstruction.
