…Says Deltans Need To Know Projects These Monies Were Used For
…Challenges State Assembly To Investigate How Monies Was Spent
By Godwin-Maria Utuedoye
An environmental activists and National Coordinator, Centre for Peace and Environmental Justice (CEPEJ), Comrade Sheriff Mulade, has called on the Delta State Governor, Sheriff Oborevwori, to account for the widely acclaimed N465 billion debt, inherited from his political godfather, Dr. Ifeanyi Okowa.
Comrade Mulade, who is the Patron of the Indigenous Correspondents’ Chapel (ICC), asked Gov. Oborevwori to show proofs of projects that these monies were used for as according to him, they were monies approved by Oborevwori when he was Speaker, Delta State House of Assembly (DTHA).
The requests of Chief Mulade, The Ibe-Sorimowei of Gbaramatu Kingdom in Warri south west local government area of the State, followed reports that Oborevwori inherited N465 billion and has so far paid N130 billion.
The development and peace advocate recently spoke to journalists in his office at Warri.
“Recently, although, we were not shocked but we were surprised that the Delta State government told us that they have paid N130 billion out of the N465 billion inherited by the government.
“These monies were monies borrowed by the immediate past government and sometimes we find it very funny for the Delta State Governor, elder Sheriff Oborevwori, to tell us that he inherited N465 billion.
“This N465 billion plus, were approved by him under his watch as the Speaker of the Delta State House of Assembly. Before these monies were approved, they were tied to projects, where are these projects? Why is he paying N130 billion now?
“So, he need to tell us the projects these monies were used for because he was part of the government that borrowed these monies.
“Today, he happens to be the executive governor of Delta State, he owe us that responsibility to explain. We are using this opportunity to call on him to tell us what the N465 billion were borrowed and used for.
The United Nations (UN) Global Peace Ambassador, challenged and tasked the Delta State House of Assembly, under the leadership of his Ijaw tribal man, Rt. Hon. Emomotimi Guwor, to swing into proper and thorough investigation and inform Deltans what the N465 billion was used for.
“I want to also say that the Delta State House of Assembly led by Rt. Hon. Emomotimi Guwor, should investigate the usage of those monies. A committee should be set up in the house to investigate the usage of these monies and tell Deltans what they were used for.
“We will not keep quiet until we know how these monies were used because you will recall that we borrowed towards the end of the last administration and when this government came in, there was no funds in any of the Delta State accounts.
“So, the first thing this government did was to borrow N40 billion. Delta cannot be one of the richest states in Nigeria, and be borrowing money, it is not acceptable”, he declared
He noted that people of his status are no longer looking out for political appointments even though it is their rights.
Hear him; “Some of us are not looking for political appointments, so we will call the government to questioning. It is our right to get political appointment but we will not sell our consciousness for political appointments. We will ensure that these monies are accounted for.
“We are only talking about the state funds, we are not talking about the 13 percent oil Derivation”
Mulade also noted that there are evidential documents to prove his point.
“For the eight years, we have the Certified True Copies from the Accountant General’s office of the Federation, where over N1.2 trillion of the 13 percent oil Derivation were paid to Delta State.
“And base on the laws of Delta State, (DESOPADEC) are entitled to N600 billion, we are still looking for the money. People need to know about the money.
“So, please, if the monies are in government house, they should be released to DESOPADEC so that DESOPADEC can in turn use them for us.
“DESOPADEC should not be starved of funds. We know DESOPADEC was created for a purpose, that purpose must be given the opportunity so that the people from these area, will enjoy it.
“Some of us, we are in EFCC. We have already called on the EFCC to help us if the State House of Assembly fails. The first one we took to EFCC, was the 13 percent oil derivation.
“But for this N465 billion, we are already in EFCC to say, please, be on a standby. If all the avenues within the State fails, then, we will tell you to help us to investigate the money.
“We are not scared to visit the EFCC or ICPC within the confine of the law to ensure that these monies are used for Deltans. They are not met for individual pockets so that we can enjoy the dividends of democracy and of our oil resources “, Mulade, said.