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| •Rector MAN, Oron; Mr Joshua Okpo and EFCC Chairman; Ibrahim Lamorde |
• 32-page petition details alleged Multi-billion Naira serial award of phoney contracts by Rector
Less than three weeks after his re-appointment was challenged by some interests groups, the Rector of Maritime Academy of Nigeria, Orion in Akwa Ibom state; Mr Joshua Okpo has been dragged before the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) over allegations of financial recklessness.
In a petition which was signed by President of the Oron Youth Movement (OYOM); Comrade Joseph Ekong Enam and the Secretary of the Movement, Comrade Victor Mpofor, the youths accused the Academy’s Rector of sundry award of contracts running into Billions of Naira to individual employees of the institution.The letter is titled “Petition against grandeur theft and financial embezzlement of Public Funds perpetrated by the Rector of Maritime Academy of Nigeria (MAN), Mr. Joshua Enun Okpo”.
The youths in the opening paragraph of the petition to the EFFC Chairman; Alhaji Ibrahim Lamorde, say that: “The Oro Youth Movement (OYOM) is an intelligentsia of Oro youth whose membership is drawn from five Local Government Areas of Oron, Okobo, Urueffong/Oruko, Udung Uko and Mbo in Akwa Ibom State. The five Local Government Areas constitute the “Oron Ethnic Nationality” the third largest ethnic group in Akwa Ibom state. The school known as Maritime Academy of Nigeria (MAN) is located in Oron, in Akwa Ibom State. Consequently, Oron is the immediate host community of the school.
In the well-documented 31-page petition dated September 1, 2015, which was obtained exclusively by Shipping Position Daily last week, the OYOM detailed how the Rector allegedly singled out favoured academic and non-academic staff to ferret funds.
The petition listed names of “his accomplices (Academy Staff) whom he has been using as agents to loot Academy’s treasury”.
The youths also attached payment vouchers numbers and document of phoney contracts allegedly awarded to the staff as a channel of siphoning off the Academy’s funds in contravention “of provisions of Financial Regulations and Extant Rules on granting of cash advances to staff which ordinarily should not exceed Two Hundred Thousand Naira (N200,000.00)”.
They wrote the EFFC that: “It will also interest you to know that cases abound where a particular project/ subject is awarded different amount of money for execution on the same day. It may also interest you to know that Duty Tour Allowance (DTA)/Travelling Allowances etc are charged to Project Account”
Sir, during the cause of our investigation, which took several weeks, we discovered financial offences committed in collaboration with the following individuals. We strived to secure document as evidence associated with each crime”.
Giving vivid details, they listed several names. For instance they alleged that about N1.4Biillion has so far been siphoned through one Sunday M. Edubio.
In the petition, OYOM alleged that Sunday M. Edubio (Assistant Registrar- Rector’s Office) received N750,000 as weekly stipend to security personnel deployed to the Academy. “When this amount is multiplied right from the inception of Mr Joshua E. Okpo tenure as Rector from July, 2011 to July, 2015 it amounts to N1.4 Billion. This can be confirmed on Payment Voucher (PV) number 3505.This amount was also charged to Project Account”.
In another, they cited one Odo E. Ansa Eno (Senior Assistant Regular – Rector’s Office) as receiving N2.2Million for repairs of a 240KVA generator.
According to the petitioner, she “has been arrogantly and systematically used to siphon Academy’s funds. She received the sum of N2.2 Million for repairs and servicing 240KVA generator. This can be confirmed on Payment Voucher (PV) number 4057. This amount was also charged to Project Account.
She also allegedly “received N1.9 Million for procurement of venetian blinds for Port Harcourt study Centre. This can be confirmed on Payment Voucher (PV) number 1091. This amount was also charged to Project Account. She received the sum of N2.5 Million for separate dinner for Maritime editors. This can be confirmed on Payment Voucher (PV) number 5331.This amount was also charged to Project Account.
Another sum of N2 Million was traced to her allegedly for the printing of Academy’s Official letter headed paper. This can be confirmed on Payment Voucher (PV) number 276. This amount was also charged to Project Account, yet another N2 Million was paid to her for procurement of kitchen utensils for cadets. This can be confirmed on Payment Voucher (PV) number 4462.This amount was also charged to Project Account.
She also received another N2 Million for the procurement of Garden chairs for male cadets. This can be confirmed on Payment Voucher (PV) number 4159. This amount was also charged to Project Account. This is in addition to the receiving another N5.3 Million for participation in Nigerian Maritime Expo at Lagos. This can be confirmed on Payment Voucher (PV) number 1011. This amount was also charged to Project Account.
According to the OYOM, a staff in the public relations office; Shonde Christiana is an alleged mistress of the Rector.
“This (alleged) mistress of the Rector received the sum of N2.6 million for clearing and grading of Udung Okung/Ukpata Afaha Eduok Road. This can be confirmed on Payment Voucher (PV) number 466. This amount was also charged to Project Account. She also received the sum of N1.3 Million for purchase of 1 no. Video Camera. This can be confirmed on Payment Voucher (PV) number 604. This amount was also charged to project Account.
Miss Shonde also allegedly received another N4 Million for site clearing at front water shoreline (which does not exist). This can be confirmed on Payment Voucher (PV) number 670. This amount was also charged to Project Account. She also received the sum of N3 Million for the rehabilitation of Academy’s Club house. This can be confirmed on Payment Voucher (PV) number 807. This amount was also charged to Project Account.
Yet on July 22, 2015, Miss Shonde was given approval to clear the proposed site for a Town Hall project at Ukpata Afaha Eduok. For this, she allegedly received the sum of N1 Million. “This can be confirmed on Payment Voucher (PV) number 1927 .This amount was also charged to Project. Account”, they said.
According to the Oron youths, one Ibekwe Emmanuel U. (Higher Executive Officer- Rector’s Office), also “received the sum of N4.5 Million for the provision and installation of Mosquito nets (at unknown location). This can be confirmed on Payment Voucher (PV) number 3037.This amount was also charged to Project Account.
He also “received the sum of N2.1 Million for the fumigation of quarantine centre at MAN Oron. This can be confirmed on Payment Voucher (PV) number 3704. This amount was also charged to Project Account, and another sum of N3.8 Million was paid to him for the fumigation of Male Cadet Hostel (WING A). This can be confirmed from Payment Voucher (PV) number 4170. This amount was also charged to Project Account.
The same staff also allegedly received the sum of N3.8 Million for the fumigation of male Cadets Hostel (WING B). This can be confirmed on Payment Voucher (PV) number 4977. This amount was also charged to Project Account.
He was also alleged to have received the sum of N3.1 Million to remove heaps of debris on (unspecified) main Road. This can be confirmed on Payment Voucher (PV) number 195.This amount was also charged to Project Account, and another N3.5 Million for clearing and fumigation of newly completed blocks and the environs. Approval dated 09/02/15 and attached as “Annex A1”. This can be confirmed on Payment Voucher (PV) number 1922. This amount was also charged to Project Account.
In another instance, one Yvonne Effiong (Formerly Yvonne I. Udoh) - (Confidential Secretary 1-Procurement) also “received the sum of N2.1 Million for the painting of 200 capacity male hostel. This can be confirmed on Payment Voucher (PV) number 4048.This amount was also charged to project Account.
She also “received the sum of N12 Million for the production of (unspecified) project design and drawings. This can be confirmed on Payment Voucher (PV) number 4214.This amount was also charged to Project Account”.
The same staff was alleged to have also received N3.6 Million for scrapping and painting of internal and external wall at (unspecified building) at MAN Oron. This can be confirmed on Payment Voucher (PV) number 1992.This amount was also charged to Project Account”.
She also allegedly “received the sum of N4,905,382.00 for the production of project designs and drawings for the construction of an amusement Park in Academy’s staff Quarters. Approval given on 09/06/2015 See Document attached as “Annex A2”. Where in Nigeria does Academic Institution has an amusement park in the staff quarters. When in MAN Oron, some of the staff live in makeshift ramshackle structures at the Academy’s staff quarter. See attached picture labeled “Annex F3” and “Annex F4”.
She also “received the sum of N4,958,496.00 for the production of project designs and drawings for the construction of an amusement Park in Academy’s staff Quarters. Approval given on 09/06/2015 See Document attached as “Annex A3”. This approval is for the same job as in (d) above and on the same day”.
In another case, one Uduak Otoyo (a cashier) allegedly, “received the sum of N1.7 Million for the clearing of grass and hill around the Academy. This can be confirmed on Payment Voucher (PV) number 1772. This amount was also charged to Project Account. Whereas the cutting of grass and removal of debris has been contracted out to private contractors which has not been paid for a number of months now.”
He also allegedly “received the sum of N5.8 million for the scrapping and painting of temporary site. This can be confirmed on Payment Voucher (PV) number 4838. This amount was also charged to Project Account. One may ask where is this “Temporary Site”?
He also “received the sum of N3.5 Million for duty tour Allowance for seven (7) persons to attend Maritime stake holders meeting. This can be confirmed on Payment Voucher (PV) number 1645.This amount was also charged to Project Account. This is a nonexistence tour.
Also the sum of N4.9 Million was received as Sallah gift for Master Mariners and Maritime Stake holder in Lagos. This can be confirmed on Payment Voucher (PV) number 1979. This amount was also charged to project Account. Approval given on 10/07/2015 see document attached as “Annex B1”. Another N2.4 was paid out for the fumigation of NIMASA Search and Rescue Centre at MAN Oron. This can be confirmed on Payment Voucher (PV) number 1699. This amount was also charged to Project Account. This building is wholly owned by NIMASA, as such the Academy has no Business paying for its fumigation. In any case, the said Centre was never fumigated as confirmed by the staff working in the Building.
Apart from many others such as the ones above, the group also alleged that “Mr. Joshua Okpo wrote and obtained from NIMASA through the former minister of transport the sum of Six Hundred Million (N600,000,000.00) Naira being the 5% Statutory Fund to Maritime Academy of Nigeria Oron, and was paid into the Academy’s Project Account: U.B.A Oron, Account Number 1001653503, with Account code; MAN/PJ. This colossal amount and the subsequent ones were siphoned off and embezzled through phony contracts. Please see document attached as “Annex G1” and “Annex G2”.
In 2013 the Federal Government approved and released over hundred Million Naira (N100,000,000) for payment of promotion arrears to deserving staff, out of which less than seventy Million Naira (N70,000,000.00) was paid, while the balance was siphoned off and embezzled. As things stand today, 30% of the deserved staff are yet to be paid the said promotion arrears. Sir, you may wish confirm this from the Academy’s account books. Furthermore, Academy staff who were promoted in 2013 were not paid their promotable salary for two years, until IPPIS took over payment of Academy salary in March this year.
Sir, it may also interest you to know that a contract to the tune of thirty Million Naira (N30,000,000.00) was awarded for furnishing of the Rector’s lodge. The money was approved and payment was made to the contractor, but up till now the said lodge is not furnished. The Rector comes to work from Uyo, which is 45KM drive to the Academy. He comes to work with a long convoy and retinue of security Aides all at tax payers’ expense.
From the above scenario, it is evidently clear as backed up by our facts that Mr. Joshua Okpo, the Rector MAN Oron, has systematically looted over Two Billion Naira (N2,000,000,000) through the award of contracts using staff and phony contractors, whom he has been using as willing accomplices.
What we mentioned in this petition is just a tip of the iceberg. Embezzlement of funds has been going on since his inception as the Rector of the Academy in July 2011. You are please invited to take necessary action for a thorough forensic financial investigation of Academy’s Account books to ascertained the fund that was accruable to the Academy and how it was expended from July 20011 to date.
We further pray that you investigate our submissions as highlighted above with the view of making the culprits to face the full weight of the law. Although, Mr Okpo has been bragging to have bought all the anti-graft Agencies in Nigeria, we know that this far from the truth.
The looted funds could have been used to substantially improve the facilities of the Academy as well as improve the conditions of living of the staff. We have Cadets who operate without adequate training equipment, talk less of standard classrooms to receive lectures. Specialist areas like meteorology, marine research, Electrical and electronics, hydrography and oceanography are all neglected due to grandeur theft by the Rector and his cabal.
The petition was copied to President Muhammadu Buhari, Governor, Akwa Ibom state, Uyo, Chairman ICPC, Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Transport, Director, Maritime Safety and Security, Federal ministry of transport, Accountant General of the Federation, Auditor General of the Federation, Inspector General of Police, Force Headquarters.http://shippingposition.com.ng/article/oron-youths-drag-rector-man-oron-joshua-okpo-efcc
Less than three weeks after his re-appointment was challenged by some interests groups, the Rector of Maritime Academy of Nigeria, Orion in Akwa Ibom state; Mr Joshua Okpo has been dragged before the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) over allegations of financial recklessness.
In a petition which was signed by President of the Oron Youth Movement (OYOM); Comrade Joseph Ekong Enam and the Secretary of the Movement, Comrade Victor Mpofor, the youths accused the Academy’s Rector of sundry award of contracts running into Billions of Naira to individual employees of the institution.The letter is titled “Petition against grandeur theft and financial embezzlement of Public Funds perpetrated by the Rector of Maritime Academy of Nigeria (MAN), Mr. Joshua Enun Okpo”.
The youths in the opening paragraph of the petition to the EFFC Chairman; Alhaji Ibrahim Lamorde, say that: “The Oro Youth Movement (OYOM) is an intelligentsia of Oro youth whose membership is drawn from five Local Government Areas of Oron, Okobo, Urueffong/Oruko, Udung Uko and Mbo in Akwa Ibom State. The five Local Government Areas constitute the “Oron Ethnic Nationality” the third largest ethnic group in Akwa Ibom state. The school known as Maritime Academy of Nigeria (MAN) is located in Oron, in Akwa Ibom State. Consequently, Oron is the immediate host community of the school.
In the well-documented 31-page petition dated September 1, 2015, which was obtained exclusively by Shipping Position Daily last week, the OYOM detailed how the Rector allegedly singled out favoured academic and non-academic staff to ferret funds.
The petition listed names of “his accomplices (Academy Staff) whom he has been using as agents to loot Academy’s treasury”.
The youths also attached payment vouchers numbers and document of phoney contracts allegedly awarded to the staff as a channel of siphoning off the Academy’s funds in contravention “of provisions of Financial Regulations and Extant Rules on granting of cash advances to staff which ordinarily should not exceed Two Hundred Thousand Naira (N200,000.00)”.
They wrote the EFFC that: “It will also interest you to know that cases abound where a particular project/ subject is awarded different amount of money for execution on the same day. It may also interest you to know that Duty Tour Allowance (DTA)/Travelling Allowances etc are charged to Project Account”
Sir, during the cause of our investigation, which took several weeks, we discovered financial offences committed in collaboration with the following individuals. We strived to secure document as evidence associated with each crime”.
Giving vivid details, they listed several names. For instance they alleged that about N1.4Biillion has so far been siphoned through one Sunday M. Edubio.
In the petition, OYOM alleged that Sunday M. Edubio (Assistant Registrar- Rector’s Office) received N750,000 as weekly stipend to security personnel deployed to the Academy. “When this amount is multiplied right from the inception of Mr Joshua E. Okpo tenure as Rector from July, 2011 to July, 2015 it amounts to N1.4 Billion. This can be confirmed on Payment Voucher (PV) number 3505.This amount was also charged to Project Account”.
In another, they cited one Odo E. Ansa Eno (Senior Assistant Regular – Rector’s Office) as receiving N2.2Million for repairs of a 240KVA generator.
According to the petitioner, she “has been arrogantly and systematically used to siphon Academy’s funds. She received the sum of N2.2 Million for repairs and servicing 240KVA generator. This can be confirmed on Payment Voucher (PV) number 4057. This amount was also charged to Project Account.
She also allegedly “received N1.9 Million for procurement of venetian blinds for Port Harcourt study Centre. This can be confirmed on Payment Voucher (PV) number 1091. This amount was also charged to Project Account. She received the sum of N2.5 Million for separate dinner for Maritime editors. This can be confirmed on Payment Voucher (PV) number 5331.This amount was also charged to Project Account.
Another sum of N2 Million was traced to her allegedly for the printing of Academy’s Official letter headed paper. This can be confirmed on Payment Voucher (PV) number 276. This amount was also charged to Project Account, yet another N2 Million was paid to her for procurement of kitchen utensils for cadets. This can be confirmed on Payment Voucher (PV) number 4462.This amount was also charged to Project Account.
She also received another N2 Million for the procurement of Garden chairs for male cadets. This can be confirmed on Payment Voucher (PV) number 4159. This amount was also charged to Project Account. This is in addition to the receiving another N5.3 Million for participation in Nigerian Maritime Expo at Lagos. This can be confirmed on Payment Voucher (PV) number 1011. This amount was also charged to Project Account.
According to the OYOM, a staff in the public relations office; Shonde Christiana is an alleged mistress of the Rector.
“This (alleged) mistress of the Rector received the sum of N2.6 million for clearing and grading of Udung Okung/Ukpata Afaha Eduok Road. This can be confirmed on Payment Voucher (PV) number 466. This amount was also charged to Project Account. She also received the sum of N1.3 Million for purchase of 1 no. Video Camera. This can be confirmed on Payment Voucher (PV) number 604. This amount was also charged to project Account.
Miss Shonde also allegedly received another N4 Million for site clearing at front water shoreline (which does not exist). This can be confirmed on Payment Voucher (PV) number 670. This amount was also charged to Project Account. She also received the sum of N3 Million for the rehabilitation of Academy’s Club house. This can be confirmed on Payment Voucher (PV) number 807. This amount was also charged to Project Account.
Yet on July 22, 2015, Miss Shonde was given approval to clear the proposed site for a Town Hall project at Ukpata Afaha Eduok. For this, she allegedly received the sum of N1 Million. “This can be confirmed on Payment Voucher (PV) number 1927 .This amount was also charged to Project. Account”, they said.
According to the Oron youths, one Ibekwe Emmanuel U. (Higher Executive Officer- Rector’s Office), also “received the sum of N4.5 Million for the provision and installation of Mosquito nets (at unknown location). This can be confirmed on Payment Voucher (PV) number 3037.This amount was also charged to Project Account.
He also “received the sum of N2.1 Million for the fumigation of quarantine centre at MAN Oron. This can be confirmed on Payment Voucher (PV) number 3704. This amount was also charged to Project Account, and another sum of N3.8 Million was paid to him for the fumigation of Male Cadet Hostel (WING A). This can be confirmed from Payment Voucher (PV) number 4170. This amount was also charged to Project Account.
The same staff also allegedly received the sum of N3.8 Million for the fumigation of male Cadets Hostel (WING B). This can be confirmed on Payment Voucher (PV) number 4977. This amount was also charged to Project Account.
He was also alleged to have received the sum of N3.1 Million to remove heaps of debris on (unspecified) main Road. This can be confirmed on Payment Voucher (PV) number 195.This amount was also charged to Project Account, and another N3.5 Million for clearing and fumigation of newly completed blocks and the environs. Approval dated 09/02/15 and attached as “Annex A1”. This can be confirmed on Payment Voucher (PV) number 1922. This amount was also charged to Project Account.
In another instance, one Yvonne Effiong (Formerly Yvonne I. Udoh) - (Confidential Secretary 1-Procurement) also “received the sum of N2.1 Million for the painting of 200 capacity male hostel. This can be confirmed on Payment Voucher (PV) number 4048.This amount was also charged to project Account.
She also “received the sum of N12 Million for the production of (unspecified) project design and drawings. This can be confirmed on Payment Voucher (PV) number 4214.This amount was also charged to Project Account”.
The same staff was alleged to have also received N3.6 Million for scrapping and painting of internal and external wall at (unspecified building) at MAN Oron. This can be confirmed on Payment Voucher (PV) number 1992.This amount was also charged to Project Account”.
She also allegedly “received the sum of N4,905,382.00 for the production of project designs and drawings for the construction of an amusement Park in Academy’s staff Quarters. Approval given on 09/06/2015 See Document attached as “Annex A2”. Where in Nigeria does Academic Institution has an amusement park in the staff quarters. When in MAN Oron, some of the staff live in makeshift ramshackle structures at the Academy’s staff quarter. See attached picture labeled “Annex F3” and “Annex F4”.
She also “received the sum of N4,958,496.00 for the production of project designs and drawings for the construction of an amusement Park in Academy’s staff Quarters. Approval given on 09/06/2015 See Document attached as “Annex A3”. This approval is for the same job as in (d) above and on the same day”.
In another case, one Uduak Otoyo (a cashier) allegedly, “received the sum of N1.7 Million for the clearing of grass and hill around the Academy. This can be confirmed on Payment Voucher (PV) number 1772. This amount was also charged to Project Account. Whereas the cutting of grass and removal of debris has been contracted out to private contractors which has not been paid for a number of months now.”
He also allegedly “received the sum of N5.8 million for the scrapping and painting of temporary site. This can be confirmed on Payment Voucher (PV) number 4838. This amount was also charged to Project Account. One may ask where is this “Temporary Site”?
He also “received the sum of N3.5 Million for duty tour Allowance for seven (7) persons to attend Maritime stake holders meeting. This can be confirmed on Payment Voucher (PV) number 1645.This amount was also charged to Project Account. This is a nonexistence tour.
Also the sum of N4.9 Million was received as Sallah gift for Master Mariners and Maritime Stake holder in Lagos. This can be confirmed on Payment Voucher (PV) number 1979. This amount was also charged to project Account. Approval given on 10/07/2015 see document attached as “Annex B1”. Another N2.4 was paid out for the fumigation of NIMASA Search and Rescue Centre at MAN Oron. This can be confirmed on Payment Voucher (PV) number 1699. This amount was also charged to Project Account. This building is wholly owned by NIMASA, as such the Academy has no Business paying for its fumigation. In any case, the said Centre was never fumigated as confirmed by the staff working in the Building.
Apart from many others such as the ones above, the group also alleged that “Mr. Joshua Okpo wrote and obtained from NIMASA through the former minister of transport the sum of Six Hundred Million (N600,000,000.00) Naira being the 5% Statutory Fund to Maritime Academy of Nigeria Oron, and was paid into the Academy’s Project Account: U.B.A Oron, Account Number 1001653503, with Account code; MAN/PJ. This colossal amount and the subsequent ones were siphoned off and embezzled through phony contracts. Please see document attached as “Annex G1” and “Annex G2”.
In 2013 the Federal Government approved and released over hundred Million Naira (N100,000,000) for payment of promotion arrears to deserving staff, out of which less than seventy Million Naira (N70,000,000.00) was paid, while the balance was siphoned off and embezzled. As things stand today, 30% of the deserved staff are yet to be paid the said promotion arrears. Sir, you may wish confirm this from the Academy’s account books. Furthermore, Academy staff who were promoted in 2013 were not paid their promotable salary for two years, until IPPIS took over payment of Academy salary in March this year.
Sir, it may also interest you to know that a contract to the tune of thirty Million Naira (N30,000,000.00) was awarded for furnishing of the Rector’s lodge. The money was approved and payment was made to the contractor, but up till now the said lodge is not furnished. The Rector comes to work from Uyo, which is 45KM drive to the Academy. He comes to work with a long convoy and retinue of security Aides all at tax payers’ expense.
From the above scenario, it is evidently clear as backed up by our facts that Mr. Joshua Okpo, the Rector MAN Oron, has systematically looted over Two Billion Naira (N2,000,000,000) through the award of contracts using staff and phony contractors, whom he has been using as willing accomplices.
What we mentioned in this petition is just a tip of the iceberg. Embezzlement of funds has been going on since his inception as the Rector of the Academy in July 2011. You are please invited to take necessary action for a thorough forensic financial investigation of Academy’s Account books to ascertained the fund that was accruable to the Academy and how it was expended from July 20011 to date.
We further pray that you investigate our submissions as highlighted above with the view of making the culprits to face the full weight of the law. Although, Mr Okpo has been bragging to have bought all the anti-graft Agencies in Nigeria, we know that this far from the truth.
The looted funds could have been used to substantially improve the facilities of the Academy as well as improve the conditions of living of the staff. We have Cadets who operate without adequate training equipment, talk less of standard classrooms to receive lectures. Specialist areas like meteorology, marine research, Electrical and electronics, hydrography and oceanography are all neglected due to grandeur theft by the Rector and his cabal.
The petition was copied to President Muhammadu Buhari, Governor, Akwa Ibom state, Uyo, Chairman ICPC, Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Transport, Director, Maritime Safety and Security, Federal ministry of transport, Accountant General of the Federation, Auditor General of the Federation, Inspector General of Police, Force Headquarters.http://shippingposition.com.ng/article/oron-youths-drag-rector-man-oron-joshua-okpo-efcc
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