BENIN CITY- Edo State Government has denied knowledge of the alleged N1.8 billion earmarked for purchase of caterpillars and official Jeeps for local government council chairmen in the state, saying that at no time did the state government tie the release of the Excess Crude Oil windfall to the purchases of these equipment.
Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Mr. Augustine Momodu, told the State House of Assembly, while briefing it on his ministry’s activities since inception yesterday that he only heard of it from two council chairmen recently.
Mr. Momodu stated that he had advised council bosses on the need to purchase only items captured in their budgets.
Continuing, Commissioner Momodu noted that the issue of buying caterpillar was only mentioned to him by one or two chairmen who claimed it would help them (chairmen) for the purpose of opening up the roads to the hinterland in their areas in order to assist rural dwellers move their farm products to the urban markets.
On the excess crude oil windfall, the commissioner disclosed that the money was lodged in the Joint Action Committee’s account (JAC), adding that the fund had to be kept until a project is tied to it as directed by the state government.
The commissioner who revealed that the excess crude oil windfall was in the JAC account at the Guarantee Trust Bank, said that the account was a non-interest yielding account.
Also yesterday, the Honourable Commissioner for Arts, Culture, Tourism and Special Duties, Dr. Patrick Ojebuoboh briefed the House on the activities of his ministry since inception.
After briefing the Parliament, the House advised him to revive some tourist centres in the state that had been neglected by the previous administration.
Particular reference was, however, made to the Fugar Caves, which had been taken over by reptiles, Agenebode Beach, Oba Ovoranmwen site in Calabar as well as the Benin artefact stolen by the British government.
Meanwhile, Edo State House of Assembly has adopted the resolution calling on the state government to release the withheld excess crude oil windfall which accrued to local government councils in the state for the months of June and July, within the next 48 hours.
The resolution which came as a consequential motion moved by the member representing Owan East constituency, Hon. Fred Omoigberai was to the effect that the state government had no right to tie the release of the fund to identified projects of the council bosses.
Putting the withheld fund to the tune of about N6.5 billion already lodged at the Guaranty Trust Bank, the Parliament demanded full detail of the said account while the ministry of Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs is expected to report back to the House on the level of government compliance with the resolution.
Seconded by Hon Saiki Samuel (Akoko-Edo II), the Parliament, however, frowned at the action of the state government for denying the council bosses the opportunity of accessing the money which it claimed was lodged in an undisclosed account.
Rounding off the debate, the Speaker, Rt. Hon Zakawanu Garuba stated that it was illegal for the state government to keep the fund in the bank when council areas in the state were in dire need of development.
Speaker Garuba said all bank transactions relating to the excess crude oil windfall kept in the bank should be made available to the Parliament.
The Speaker directed that clean copies of the resolution be sent to the state Governor, Prof. Oserheimen Osunbor, commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs and local government council chairmen in the state.
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