A civil society organization, the Bayelsa Coalition for Accountability and Good Governance, has expressed disgust with Governor Douye Diri of Bayelsa State for allegedly approving N25 billion for the purchase of a new aircraft.
The group, in a statement issued by its spokesman, Mr Perekeme Oweifa, described the development as reckless.
discribing the government of Bayelsa state as characterised by fraud, deceit and excessive borrowing,
Oweifa, wondered why Diri is moving to expend such an amount on a new aircraft when the state is facing a mounting debt profile.
According to the organisation, the move is not only ill-timed but also indicative of the government’s disregard for the financial well-being of the state and residents.
The coalition also said that the sum of N11 billion had already been purportedly spent by the governor for the same purpose, with no visible results.
Extract from the statement: “States like Akwa Ibom judiciously deployed their resources for the benefit of their citizens, while Bayelsa State’s resources might have been diverted into the private pockets of the Sampou-born politician and his cronies.
“This is in addition to bank loans worth about N179 billion taken by the governor with no projects to show for it. The Diri administration is characterised by fraud, deceit, excessive borrowing, and ‘squandermania’ without due process.
“It is heart-wrenching that Bayelsa State, which ranks 3rd in derivation funds, is the 2nd poorest state in Nigeria. This is unacceptable,” he said.
As at the time of filing this report the governor was yet to react to the speculations on the development.
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