Bayelsa State government has said it will not disclose the state of its finances, so as not to embarrass Vice President Goodluck Jonathan.
It, however, said �if the EFCC will do its job well, some people should be running away from Bayelsa.�
Special Adviser to Governor Timipre Sylva on Political Affairs, Dr George Fente, said this during an interactive meeting with political leaders and representatives of gubernatorial candidates in Yenagoa, yesterday.
According to Fente, because there is a �level of secrecy in government, Timipre Sylva cannot give the debt profile. We cannot wash our dirty linen in public. Jonathan is now the Vice President, we cannot embarrass him as a fellow Ijaw man.�
Giving the 24 local government councils (called G24) created by former Governor DSP Alamieyeseigha as example, Fente said each is given N10million monthly for development purpose, yet nothing is on ground to show for it.
According to him, this money, which amount to about N2.4 billion yearly cannot be accounted for. So much fund was released to local governments, yet there is nothing to show for it.
N10million to each G24 LGAs every month without any tangible project on ground. But individuals including civil servants have choice houses in Abuja and Yenagoa. It is really sad.�
He said that it was in the bid to correct these drain pipes on the state resources that the government began with the audit of government staff.
Fente lamented that the state pays over N2 billion in salaries every month even as the activities of militants in the creek has drastically obstructed operation of oil companies in the state.
Earlier in his speech to the gathering, Fente told the political parties� leaders that the Sylva administration intends to run an all inclusive government with open door policy that is open to criticism and advice from well meaning Bayelsans.
Jul202007