Ortom to probe all MDAs for fraud in Benue

By TOR VANDE-Acka, Makurdi

Benue state Governor Samuel Ortom has stated the resolve of the state government to probe all Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) in the state as part of measures to ensure that they operate according to laid down rules and regulations and not cutting corners.

The decision to carry out the probe may have been as a result of the fallout of the massive fraud recently uncovered at the State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB).

Speaking to newsmen over the weekend the governor also vowed to recover funds allegedly embezzled by officials of SUBEB in the state.

He advised those suspected to have misappropriated funds of the agency to answer to allegations levelled against them, insisting that no amount of plea and interference would deter him from recovering stolen funds.

According to Ortom “I have never supported anyone to go and steal money and give me. The people should quietly return the money because we are coming after them.

“I have vowed never to allow any of my subordinates to shortchange government; gone are the days when SUBEB was ATM.

“I will not look at anybody’s face. If you have committed any crime, you must come and respond to it.

“Nobody will stop me from ensuring that those involved are punished. When the perpetrators are caught and they run to you, tell them to respond to the issues.

“No Angel will come and sanitize the system other than ourselves. It is what we sow that we reap.

“If you have issues, respond to them and I’ll respond to you, if you think you’re not fairly treated; no politics; if you chop money, money will chop you.

“I want a total cleansing; I want the system to work during this second term. The opportunity God has given me and Benue people, I must not betray it, I must be seen as their agent. That’s why I am supervising projects myself, supervising all MDAs myself,” he stated.

Earlier, Governor Ortom had flagged off the distribution of 35,022 chairs and tables to schools in the 23 Local Government Areas (LGAs) of the state.

He observed that, “It is only when we have good chairs and teachers that things will begin to work correctly.”

He argued that there would have been huge value addition if all the billions of naira allegedly embezzled by SUBEB officials were channeled into the primary sector in the state.

He also regretted that plans to recruit additional five thousand teachers for primary schools in the state was sabotaged by the activity of SUBEB officials who had shortchanged government. (Sunday Independent)