From Uche Nnorom, Makurdi
Peoples’ Democratic Party, PDP Benue State chapter has demanded Governor Hyacinth Alia to come clean on allegations that he had squandered over 46 billion, in fulfillment of his sworn duty of accountability and transparency to the people.
Recall that Chief Press Secretary to the Governor Kula Tersoo on Monday while addressing newsmen reacted to the allegations, stating that his boss has been very prudent in managing the State resources.
However,PDP State Publicity Secretary Chief Bemgba Iortyom also, during a press conference on Thursday in Makurdi said the party is concerned over mounting allegations of duplication of contractual payments and other huge expenditures made against Governor Hyacinth Alia from various public sources.
The Party spokesman posited that over the past few days, the media space has been awashed with publications from various news media alleging that the Benue State Governor has squandered over N46 billion for purposes which it is questionable how they align with the objective for good governance.
He mentioned notable and renowned online news platforms such as Sahara Reporters and Nigerian Concord, have in separate publications splashed details of expenditure by Governor Alia running into tens of billions of naira in what appears to be duplication of contracts, refurbished “palliative” vehicles, travel expenses,, hotel accomodations, purchase of vehicles, cost of running Government House, Makurdi and catering for guests and other sundry purposes.
Said he,”a summary of the allegations of questionable expenditure of public funds by Governor Alia as reported by different media outlets include that;
“Between May 29 and September 30th, 2023, Governor Hyacinth Alia of Benue State has spent more than N46 billion of state resources on various purposes, prominent among which are expenses for duplicated contracts, his travels, vehicles, hotel bills, cost of running Government House etc”.
