After
Premium Times yesterday reported that the Governor of Kogi State, Yahaya Bello
allegedly squandered over N260m ‘security votes’ days after assuming office,
his office has replied the media outlet saying it is far from the truth. Here’s
what they sent in.
The
use of the word "squander", as far as I am concerned, is a clear
abuse of the right to information. Every dime spent by the Governor can be
accounted for. He has one of the lowest Security Fund in the nation which has
even been underdrawn by his administration.
It
is a public knowledge that Kogi State has been contending with serious security
breach for the past ten years. As a result of the location of the state as
gateway to many states of the federation, the state drifted into a criminal
hotbed.
Also,
years of gross maladministration and blinding embezzlement has left the youth
bear, exposing them to all sort of criminal activities to survive. Kogi became
a haven of robbers and kidnappers.
As
a responsible government, the Yahaya Bello administration has taken security to
the front burners by strengthening the security apparatus and architecture in
order to make Kogi inhabitable for hoodlums and criminal elements.
Today,
the security of the state has greatly improved and this has not come without a
cost. Security vote is not usually a subject for public consumption and no cost
can be higher than human lives. The Governor will continue to prioritize
security because it is one of the main objectives of his election.
Let
me also put on record that the Governor Yahaya Bello administration is
contractually committed to fighting corruption and enthroning transparency in
the polity. These are the terms of his social contract with the Kogi people.
If
you have ever been to the Kogi State Government House in Lokoja, you will
appreciate the rot of the architecture. It was not befitting of one of the most
historic Government Houses in Nigeria. In tandem with the present
administration's drive to turn the economy of the state to a private sector
driven one, we need to start our charity at home. People must love to come to
our Government House to transact businesses.
The
Government House is currently undergoing massive renovation to make it
habitable and mirror the image of the state as a firs-rated tourist destination.
Governor
Yahaya Bello is an accomplished business mogul, who believes he assumed power
by the grace of God. He has reiterated his determination, not only to block
corrupt practices, but to also ensure corrupt officials of government are made
to face the wrath of the law.
The
award of contract to renovate the Government House was justifiable. Weeks after
his inauguration, Governor Yahaya Bello was operating from his home because the
Government House wasn't conducive. The award was to renovate Government House
and not his personal house.
This
administration has opened her account books to the people of the state. The
Governor has constantly briefed the media on the income and expenditure of
government. Massive constructions are ongoing in the state and the Governor is
focused on ensuring transparent and active performance of this year's budget.
The
antics of our opponents will be judged by the people of the state who are
already witnessing the benefits of the New Direction Programs. The bulwark of the
Yahaya Bello administration is transparency.
Kingsley
Fanwo
Chief
Press Secretary to the Governor
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