Over N6Billion Local Government Funds Looted Under Former Gov.Suswam-Targema Takema[SSG Benue State].

Secretary to the State Government Barr. Targema Takema has stated that over six billion naira of local government funds went to private accounts annually during the 8 year tenure of governor Gabriel Suswam.

The SSG stated this today while speaking at a reception organized in his Honour by the Mbaiwoo Development Association in Buruku Local Government area of Benue State further maintained that far from the 29,000 work force projected as staffers of the local governments in the state by the previous administration, a biometric audit of local government staff indicated that only 14,000 workers actually existed in the 23 local government area in the state.

According to Takema, the above scenario gulped between 600-700 million naira of local government funds monthly which went to wrong hands in the name of payment of local government staff. He stated that as a member of the transition committee, he was privy of the fact that the indebtedness of the state as established by the committee now stands at 130 billion naira as against the 90 billion earlier mentioned adding that arrangements have been concluded to ensure that all those who stole from the pubic treasury are made to return it to the last kobo after the committee briefs the people of the state next week.
The SSG who described governor Samuel Ortom as a man who is filled with the fear of God also stated that as leaders, they have decided to live by example by not touching anything that belongs to the people of the state but rather commit to ameliorating the pains and anguish of the people.

Earlier in an address, chairman of Mbaiwoo Development Association Mr. Terwase Iortim thanked God and governor Samuel Ortom for finding their in law Barr. Takema worthy of appointment as secretary to the state government Which he said is first of its kind since the creation of the state and urged the SSG to be selfless in the discharge of his duties even as he mentioned water scarcity, inadequate electricity poles, lack of adequate health centers, and shortage of teachers at the community's primary school as some of the challenges facing the people of Mbaiwoo and called on the SSG to intervene.

Also speaking, the Ter Buruku and chairman, Buruku Area Traditional Council Chief David Afatyo congratulated Barr. Takema on his new appointment which he said is well deserved and a product of his excellent performance in previous assignments and urged him to serve governor Samuel Ortom and the people of the state dispassionately and see his appointment as a training field for higher responsibilities.

In a remark, caretaker committee chairman, Buruku Local Government Hon. Godwin Iorsue called on youth of Buruku local government to embrace the amnesty programme of the Ortom administration and submit all illegal arms in their possession in order to be reintegrated into the society. He promised to partner with the SSG to address some of the challenges faced by the people and thanked the people for bringing the SSG to Buruku which he said is a big opportunity for the people.


Source  Akaah Manasseh Akaah