Delta uncovers attempt to defraud government N7bn

Delta State government says five persons have been arrested over attempt to defraud the state government of about N7 billion.

BusinessDay reports that David Edevbie, the state commissioner for finance, who gave the hint at a press briefing in Asaba, said the development temporally caused an upset in the government system.

Edevbie said the swift intervention of Governor Ifeanyi Okowa saved the state from being defrauded during the payment of January 2016 salary.

Salaries of state departments were delayed because of attempt by some individual to defraud the state through the payment of salaries, the commissioner said.

He also added that the suspects, a syndicate group, were at the verge of withdrawing about N7 billion from the state treasury when they met their waterloo.

According to him, “salaries of ministries, departments and agencies (MDAs) as well as the polytechnic staff were delayed due to an alert on Wednesday evening of February 3, 2016, of attempts to defraud the state through the payment of salaries.

“The permanent secretary cum accountant-general on receiving the threat immediately informed the Governor who directed that the security agencies in the state, as well as the bank should be informed immediately. He also directed the permanent secretary/accountant-general to put in place additional control measures to forestall future attempts on the account.”

Meanwhile, the state says it has earmarked N372.9 million for the payment of West African Senior School Certificate Examinations (WASSCE) and National Business and Technical Board (NABTEB) enrolment fees of 28,898 students in the state.

Patrick Ukah, the state commissioner for information, made the disclosure while briefing the press on the outcome of the State Executive Council meeting held in Asaba on Tuesday.

He said the payment of the examination fees were in line with the state government free education policy for primary and secondary school students.

“EXCO agreed to pay the enrolment fees and incidental cost for SSS 3 and Vocational Students in Delta State public, senior secondary school and technical colleges. The total number of students to be enrolled for the 2016 SSCE and NABTEB certificate examination for vocational students in the state is 28, 898,” he said.

IDRIS UMAR MOMOH