Traders Welfare Union Petitions Edo Market Woman Leader Over Allege N100M Diversion

By The9JaTREND

President of the Traders Welfare Union Nigeria (TWUN), Comrade Lucky Orukpe, has petitioned the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Independent Corrupt Practices and other related Commission (ICPC) and other security agencies on allegedly diversion of N100 million grant meant for Edo Market Women by Madam Blacky Omoregie Ogiamen.

In the petition presented to the security agencies, Orukpe said, “I was fully aware of the grant for Edo market women. I also mobilised over one hundred Edo market women across the state with the knowledge and consent of Madam Blacky Ogiamen to the venue of the reception of Comrade Adams Aliyu Oshiomhole organised by Edo market women across the state in 2013.

“The Edo State Government gave N100,000,000.00 revolving, interest free and non refundable grant to market women in Edo State to boost their trade.”

He asserted that the grant was released to Madam Ogiamen on behalf of the Market Women in Edo State.

Going further, he affirmed, “I have made series of investigation for the past eight years to know the beneficiaries of this grant in the evening eighteen local government areas of Edo State yet I have not find a single market woman who did received the grant.”

He emphasized that he strongly believes that “the said grant was mismanaged and embezzled by Madam Blacky Ogiamen who received Edo market women grant meant to better the lives of Edo market women in the state in 2013.”

Comrade Orukpe charged the security agencies and other relevant stakeholders to “ask for the full statement of account of all the Edo market women who are beneficiaries of the grant from Madam Blacky Ogiamen.”

In her respond to the accusation, the Edo Market Woman Leader, Madam Black Ogiamen said, "Where was Orukpe since Oshiomhole tenure elapsed. Does it mesn he travelled out of nigeria since? I am shocked that he is coming this time, after many years since the money was released.

"let me put the record straight -  the.money (N100 Million) released by Oshiomhole was disbursed as instructed. You can go find out from different market women across the state.

"Is Orukpe a market woman. does he owed any shop in any market, or does his wife  have a shop in Benin? Please go ask her if he owed any shop in any market," he emphasized