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From: Femi Folaranmi, Yenagoa The Bayelsa State Government has lashed out at those it described as ‘disgruntled politicians’ blaming them for negatives reports targeted at Governor Henry Seriake Dickson. Governor Dickson has appealed to Bayelsans and the general public to ignore recent reports over the Paris Club refunds, saying it was only meant to embarrass the state government. A press statement signed by the Governor’s Special Adviser on Media Relations, Mr Francis Agbo, noted that contrary to the lies dished out by politicians using an on-line medium, the refund to the state as at December 2016 was N14.5 billion which was exactly what the Government declared publicly. According to him, in line with the Transparency and Accountability Law of the state, the Commissioner for Finance, promptly announced the same figure to the world before other states followed suit.
Agbo explained that it was also worthy of note that the Paris Club refunds was used prudently to pay salary and Bayelsans commended the state government for it, adding that even the House of Representatives Committee on Local Government officially commended Governor Dickson for judiciously utilising the Paris Club refunds to pay salary. ‘‘The sponsors of bad press against the government are disgruntled Bayelsa politicians with shady past. These people had bungled their opportunity to impact on the state and are now jealous of Governor Dickson for effectively placing Bayelsa State on the path of peace and development,’’the statement read in part. |