Upon surprise recall of Paris fund by FG, Benue has no plan of N10bn loan—Govt
The Benue State Government has described rumours making the rounds that it had fresh plans to approach some banks for another loan saying it was fresh set of tissues from the All Progressives Congress (APC) which the Governor, Samuel Ortom left recently.
It would be recalled that few days after the decamping of Governor Ortom to the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), an anti-graft agency had invaded the state with allegations of abuse of state treasury which was widely criticized.
Shortly after the relaxation of the anti-graft agency, the federal government informed the state government of recall of Paris Club refund of about N14bn paid the state.
The state government in a statement weekend, recalled that the social media were awash, on Saturday, alleging that Governor Samuel Ortom has written to the state’s House of Assembly seeking the approval of the house to borrow the sum of N10 billion to enable him clear backlogs of salaries, pensions and gratuities owed Benue workers and retirees.
The statement said “The rumour mill had stated that Secretary to the State Government, Prof. Tony Ijoho, signed a letter, on Friday afternoon, and addressed to the Speaker of the House, Hon. Titus Uba, asking the legislators to consider the degrading conditions of pensioners and workers who have served the state in different capacities and deserve their wages.
The statement signed by the Chief Press Secretary to the governor, Terver Akase, said “We urge the people of Benue State and other Nigerians to disregard the report being circulated by the state chapter of All Progressives Congress (APC) that the Benue State Government is seeking approval from the House of Assembly to enable it access a N10 billion loan.
“This particular lie smacks of frustration and fury within the APC camp to drag the name and office of Governor Samuel Ortom to disrepute having failed in all their previous attempts to remove the Governor through illegality and impunity.
“For a party which still controls power at the centre, the APC appears not to understand the job of a governing party and has assumed the role of opposition.
“The party’s latest false claim that the State Government plans to obtain the alleged loan is the height of desperation by a political party bent on misleading the public.
“We reassure the good people of Benue State that the government has met all requirements set by Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) and the recently recalled Paris Club refund will soon be returned to the state for payment of salaries, pensions and gratuities.” The state therefore warned that Governor Ortom will not be distracted by the torrent of lies and organised smear campaign against him by enemies of the state in his drive to deliver good governance on the platform of PDP.
