Senator Jarigbe Agom Jarigbe, who represents Cross River North in the National Assembly, has dismissed allegations linking him to the mismanagement of constituency intervention projects, describing the claims as misleading and unfounded.
The denial follows a report by civic technology group TrackaNG, which alleged that a company purportedly connected to the senator received over ₦637 million in federal payments for projects carried out within the senatorial district.
Reacting in a statement issued on Thursday, the senator, through his media aide, John Adie, rejected the allegations, insisting that neither he nor any member of his family owns or controls the company mentioned in the report.
According to the statement, all constituency projects associated with Senator Jarigbe were executed strictly through relevant government implementing agencies in line with established procurement laws. It stressed that the senator has no direct role in awarding contracts, as bidding and selection processes are independently handled by those agencies based on due process, technical competence and capacity.
“The claims that contracts for items such as motorcycles, computers, emergency food supplies and solar-powered streetlights were irregularly awarded to a company linked to the senator or his family are false and lack factual and procedural basis,” the statement said.
It further noted that the contractor in question is a duly registered company with valid statutory documents and had executed projects long before the current interventions under Senator Jarigbe’s tenure.
The senator’s office argued that attention should be focused on the impact and quality of the projects delivered across communities in Ogoja, Yala, Bekwarra, Obudu and Obanliku, rather than what it described as speculative narratives about the identities of contractors.
The statement added that the contractors involved in the projects demonstrated professionalism and capacity, delivering within approved guidelines. It warned against what it called attempts to disqualify individuals from legitimate business opportunities based on assumed family connections, noting that such positions undermine fairness and lawful economic participation.
While reaffirming his commitment to transparency and accountability, Senator Jarigbe accused unnamed political opponents of attempting to politicise development efforts in the district to distract from his achievements.
The senator said he remains focused on his legislative responsibilities and constituency development, citing ongoing interventions in education, healthcare, infrastructure, electrification, agriculture, youth empowerment and social welfare across Cross River North.