1. I am inspired by my long standing knowledge of the positive transactional leadership of the former Governor of Ebonyi State and current Hon. Minister of Works, His Excellency, Sen. Engr. David Nweze Umahi FNSE, FNATE, CON, GGCEHF and with his kind instruction, to state that the allegations contained in the trending video of a purportedly distressed woman linking Engr Umahi with a 9- year old debt is absolutely preposterous and nothing but a malicious propaganda of desperados who have vowed to stop at nothing in pulling him down for his uncompromising stand in reversing the ugly trends of road construction across the nation and thus abate the alarming sufferings of Nigerians on our road infrastructure.

2. For the records, the Hon. Minister of Works never had any transaction or business with such a lady either as a Governor for 8 years or as a Deputy Governor for 4 years or at anytime in the life of the business endeavours of the Hon. Minister of Works and doesn't not know the said woman. There was no communication or complaint or proceedings or even pre- action notice against the Hon. Minister in his previous capacities by the said woman, either directly to him or through the Police or Civil Society or through social Media or by any court, all these years untill now that the Hon. Minister is sounding strong on his wake up call for contractors to give Nigerians the best standard of road construction in line with the best practices as seen in advanced countries of the world. The Hon. Minster and his team are very much aware that falsehood, blackmail, sabotage and incitement are the next line of action of these enemies of the progress of Nigeria, and they are battle ready to defend the cause of our nationhood.

2. I am also minded to state that the allegations trumped up in that video and scenarios created are perfect examples of the punky thoughts of detractors which resonate deeply in the recent threats of blackmail and incitements by those who, for their pecuniary attachments, are opposing the introduction of the progressive policies in the Federal Ministry of Works, including concrete technology of 50 years guarantee, use of local raw materials and mobilization of our engineering labour force to the construction and designs of our road infrastructure.

3. This plot of detractors to use ' a socialite, business promoter and girl of many parts, as she claims, to paint unfounded picture of non-existing contract for supply of election promotion materials is absolutely and irresponsibly ridiculous and cannot in anyway discourage the zeal or diminish the passion of the Hon. Minister of Works in giving the road users the desired value for the huge investment on road infrastructure.

4 The members of the public are enjoined to discountenance the unfounded allegations of the said woman as part of the plans of the detractors to divert attention and derail the economic-diversifying innovations of the Federal Ministry of Works under Sen. Engr David Nweze Umahi.

Signed:
Hon. Barr. Orji Uchenna Orji ( former Commissioner for Information & State Orientation)