Governor Samuel Ortom:

Against the backdrop of speculations that the Senate might probe into the way the bail out funds were managed in some states, the Governor of Benue State, Chief Samuel Ortom has said he is unperturbed as he can account for the way every penny of the 28billion Naira that accrued to the State was utilized.

Governor Ortom spoke through his Chief Press Secretary CPS, Mr. Terver Akase in Makurdi, the State capital today. He said his administration welcome the proposed probe and described it as a way of strengthening accountability and prudent management of resources.

Media reports had said that during its sitting on Monday, the Senate indicated that it is poised to probe Benue and Osun States over the disbursement of the bailout fund.

“The call by the Senate is apt, it is the responsibility of the legislature to checkmate the executive and we in Benue State have nothing to fear because our government is anchored on transparency, accountability and the fear of God”.

He said the State government utilized the bailout funds judiciously and transparently, expressing the willingness to account for it anytime.

“We are happy with the call because it affords us the opportunity to tell the whole world how the bailout fund was transparently utilized by the Governor. The ICPC had investigated the State and did not find anything wrong. As far as we are concerned, there is no known case of any diversion of the bailout funds”, Akase stated.

The spokesperson said his boss runs an open government with nothing to hide and therefore welcomes any move that will promote fiscal discipline, which said is already a tradition in their state.

Sent from my iPad