… Says government approved Auction of combustible items
From Aniekan Aniekan, Calabar
The National Population Commission (NPC) in Cross River State has dismissed as false and mischievous allegations on social media that materials meant for population exercise were diverted to All Progressives Congress (APC) wards in the state.
The allegation had accused the Federal Commissioner of the Commission in the state, Alex Ukam of diverting items including power banks and life jackets to his political supporters.
Reacting to the allegation in Calabar, the Cross River State Director of the NPC Roland Odey, described the claims as unfounded and a calculated attempt by political opponents to tarnish the image of the Commissioner.
Odey clarified that sensitive materials meant for population exercises and elections are traditionally kept in the custody of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) for security reasons.
According to him, the materials, which include laptops, tablets, power banks, raincoats and life jackets, had been in CBN custody for a long time, but concerns over safety risks, particularly power banks nearing their expiry dates, prompted the apex bank to act.
“The CBN wrote to the Presidency over safety concerns, especially with power banks that were nearing expiry and could pose risks. The Presidency thereafter authorised the auction of such items,” Odey explained.
He disclosed that following the Presidency’s approval, the NPC headquarters in Abuja directed all state offices to liaise with the CBN to facilitate the auction, with professional auctioneers engaged by the national office to conduct the exercise across the country.
In Cross River, Odey said the auction took place last Monday and lasted for two days, attracting a huge crowd of buyers to the Commission’s office in Calabar.
“The place looked like a market because of the huge turnout of buyers. The state office had no control over the sales; it was entirely handled by the auctioneers engaged from Abuja,” he said.
He stressed that only power banks were auctioned in Cross River, contrary to claims that life jackets and other materials were diverted.
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