Special Adviser to Cross River State Governor on Intelligence and Security Matters, Goddy Akpama, has faulted claims by the state commissioner for Power and Renewable Energy Prince Eka Williams, that ex- director general (DG) Scraps Metal Agency Mr. Martins Asuquo, sold two power generators belonging to Ugep community for street lights , to a Lagos business tycoon Mr. Ade Adetunji-Adelani, after Ayade’s administration elapsed.
Akpama faulted the commissioner’s position while answering questions in Calabar from our reporter on the controversial sale of two power generators.
He argued that the ex-DG sold the generators before the end of Ayade’s administration and not after the expiration of the said administration, as the state commissioner for power claimed.
Speaking on the outcome of his investigation about the sale of two unserviceable Matrac Caterpillar Power generators installed in Ugep community by the immediate past administration of Prof Ben Ayade to illuminate Ugep community streets, the SA wondered why it is only the ex- DG alone that is being quizzed and prosecuted by the law enforcement agents despite the fact that the police report had indicted the member representing Yakurr one state constituency in the Cross River State House of Assembly.
Akpama maintained, “Upon looking at the laws of the Agency, the DG has powers to negotiate sales under section 2 (C) of the Cross River State Scrap Regulatory Law 2017.
“During my findings at the zone 6 command, Calabar, I discovered that the petitioner, Lagos-based business man, Ade Adetunji-Adelani negotiated and bought the generators from the ex- DG scrap agency in April 2023,” the Special Adviser disclosed.
Akpama averred that the businessman was given the go-ahead to take the power generators out of the Ugep community after he met every condition given to him by the Obol Opon and his council.
But in a swift reaction, the commissioner for Power and Renewable Energy, Prince Eka Williams, backed Mr Peterson’s involvement in the issue and explained that Peterson came into the matter because of the retainers with the Ministry of Power and also in charge of fixing generators for the Ministry.
In a telephone discussion, Calabar-based businessman Mr. Peterson denied any wrongdoing and stated that his involvement in the generator issue was not illegal.
“I don’t involve myself in illegal business. If am found wanting police have the right to arrest and prosecute me,” he maintained.
Also reacting to the allegations in a telephone discussion, the member representing Yakurr one state constituency in the Cross River State House of Assembly Cyril Omini, denied involvement in the power generators issue, and said that the allegations were cheap blackmail orchestrated by Mr. Goddy Akpama to pull him down.
