The Delta State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has charged the state governor, Ifeanyi Okowa, to be transparent in the handling of the recovered £4.2 million which was allegedly siphoned from the state by the former state governor, James Ibori.
The party gave the charge following the Accountant-General of the Federation (AGF), Ahmed Idris’ announcement on Tuesday that the much-talked-about £4.2 million which the United Kingdom had recovered and sent back to Nigeria has been paid into Delta State account.
The AGF announced this before the House of Representatives Adhoc Committee on “Assessment and Status of all recovered loots, movable and movable assets from 2002 to 2020 by Agencies of Federal Government of Nigeria for Effective and Efficient management and utilization”.
Delta APC, in the statement signed by its Publicity Secretary (Caretaker), Sylvester Imonina, Tuesday, said, “As a matter of fact, we urge the governor to tie this money (the Ibori recovered loot) to specific projects in the state as it would in no small measure, bring joy to Deltans when they see the projects the money is used for.”
The party, while commending the step taking by the committee, appreciated President Muhammadu Buhari for making sure that what was looted from Delta State was brought back to the state for its development.
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“We are indeed grateful, Mr President, for the fatherly disposition used in handling the circumstances/issues surrounding the recovery and the return of same to Delta state,” it said.
The party lamented what it called “the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) handlers’ maladministration and glutonic propensity to covet what belongs to Deltans to themselves” which, it claimed, “put the state at the state of squalor it is today, compared to some states in Nigeria of today who receive lesser amount of monies from the Federation Account”.
“There is no gainsaying the fact that the spirit of rapacity still exists in some government officials in the state,” Delta APC said.
“For the sake of our dear state, we call on the state governor, Ifeanyi Okowa, not to allow this economic lifeline (monies) to go the way of the past. Deltans want to see positive changes in their lives.
“Though, there is palpable fear by Deltans that the returned money is likely to be re-looted by those in Government of Delta State! This fear is not unconnected with the fact that Deltans are always at the receiving end of PDP led-Government bad leadership style in the state, to wit; looting without consciences. To allay this fear, PDP led-Government should be patriotic for once in its acts of governance,” said the party.
Delta APC noted that in view of the happenings in the state, the yearnings of Deltans should not be brushed aside.
On the other hand, the party called on all Deltans to be at alert and ask questions with follow up actions on how what belongs to the State is expended by the Okowa led-Government.
