ACN, others seek probe of Bayelsa's finances

LEADERS of the Bayelsa State chapter of the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN)and a group, Bayelsa Action Committee for Justice (BACJ), have in separate interviews, called for an independent probe into the finances of the state following the claims by Governor Seriake Dickson that he inherited an empty treasure and a huge debt profile from the administration of former governor, Timipre Sylva and acting governor, Nestor Binabo.Through its National Youth leader, Miriki Ebikibina, ACN said the call for probe was necessary to ascertain the true and actual debt profile of the state and the alleged waste of the state's resources under the last administration and the interim one.According to him, the disclosure by Dickson has not only vindicated the demand by ACN for an audited account of the state, but also confirmed the party's position on the poor and reckless handling of the state's finances by the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).'The steps taken by Dickson to inform Bayelsans on the revenue accruing to the state are commendable. The increasing level of abject poverty in the state, unprecedented level of unemployment, lack of empowerment of the youth in the state, while so much is spent on Government House and servicing former militants, are totally unacceptable to a people that received huge allocation. Governor Henry Dickson should be commended for disclosing the revenues and expenditure of the state. This is a mark of trust, confidence building, transparency and probity', Ebikibina said.BACJ, through its President, Jonathan Timi, said although Dickson did not come clear on who handed him an empty treasury and huge debt between Sylva and Binabo, the issue of empty treasury is unacceptable and needs to be investigated.'Bayelsans deserve to know the state of finances when Nestor took over from Sylva, how the fund he received during the period was expended and what he handed over to the Dickson government. We are eagerly awaiting the report of the Finance and Review Management Committee headed by Timi Alaibe to ensure that all those that contributed to the poor financial situation in the state are brought to book', Timi said.Dickson had in his maiden media interaction in Yenagoa, lamented that his administration met a very intimidating debt burden and empty treasury, which according him, seemed to have mortgaged the future of the state.Although the governor did not give the actual figure left behind as debt, he disclosed that his administration has set up a financial management committee headed by Mr. Timi Alaibe, the former managing director of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) to ascertain the actual level of indebtedness and pledged that the figure would be made public as soon as the committee submit its reports.
Click here to read full news..