Ex-security Adviser to Bayelsa Govt, Gov Diri, disagree on transparency

Nathan Tamarapreye, Yenagoa

Chief Richard Kpodoh, a former Special Adviser to the Bayelsa government on security matters and Gov Douye Diri have held divergent views on transparency in public finances in the state.

Kpodoh alleged that the government’s projects were shrouded in secrecy and mismanagement of several billions of naira that has accrued to the state’s internally generated revenue.

However, the government said it was transparent and prudent in the management of the state’s resources.

Speaking on Wednesday, Kpodoh said that as a patriotic citizen, he cannot keep quiet without asking questions about how the state funds are managed.

He expressed sadness that while people in the state were in penury, few persons are diverting millions from public coffers.

He noted that the deliberate stoppage of the AIT-Elebele road, and five-star hotel amongst others that were initiated by previous administrations by y Diri’s government is a clear demonstration of diversionary leadership and loss of focus by the governor and a cabal who daily sit around him with gossips.

Speaking on the transparency initiative that was started by the immediate past administration, Kpodoh called on Diri to go beyond briefing selected journalists and publish monthly income and expenditure in national dailies.

“I cannot be part of a milipidic train that has no clear vision other than deceiving the electorate and impoverishing them.

“Some of us are taking stock and at the appropriate time, we will file legal action against the state government, some ministries, agencies and individuals that are being used as conduit pipes.

“The man is busy recruiting hundreds of untrained social media influencers and paying them salaries that not even grade level nine civil servants are earning”, Kpodoh said.

Reacting to the allegations of secrecy in ongoing projects, Mr Ayibaina Duba, Bayelsa Commissioner for Information dismissed the claims as baseless and false as details of every contract were displayed on signboards at project sites.

Duba, who listed ongoing projects and details in a statement wondered why Kpodoh would claim that publicly available information was being kept secret.

Duba, noted that, aside from the fact that contractors and even consultants involved in roads or building projects are often displayed on boards at project sites, the projects are transformational and positively impact the lives of Bayelsa people across the three senatorial zones of the state.

According to him, as a government founded on openness and transparency, the government, through the media, keeps the people of Bayelsa abreast of all projects approved by the state executive council disclosing necessary details including costs.