Edo PDP Alleges FG’s Bailout Encourages Corruption

Posted by African Examiner Ignatius Okpara, Latest Headlines, News, News From The State Wednesday, October 28th, 2015

By Ignatius Okpara, Benin City

The opposition Peoples Democratic party (PDP) in Edo state, has faulted the recent bailout loan given to some States by the Federal Government to cushion the effects of dwindling oil revenue, noting that the development will encourage corruption.

The State received the sum of N3.1bn to enable it meet up with its financial burdens to local governments’ workers.

Commenting on the issue on Tuesday in Benin city, the state capital, the State’s PDP Chairman, Chief Dan Orbih, insisted the move would “encourage corruption” and “monumental mismanagement” of local governments’ allocations in Edo and other states.

Orbih who made the assertion during the official opening of the party’s new state’s secretariat on First East Circular Road in Benin, appealed to President Muhammadu Buhari to stop further disbursement of such funds to States.

The Chairman who also alleged that Oredo local government area received only N102 Million, out of its statutory allocation of N1.067bn between January and September, 2015, called on President Buhari, to probe the allocation of council funds by the Edo State Government.

The Edo PDP boss, equally called for the immediate reinstatement of the suspended council chairmen in the state, which he described as politically- motivated and not based on accountability.

His words: “There is, no doubt, that there is monumental mismanagement of local government allocation in Edo State under Adams Oshiomhole.

“That is why on this very occasion of the official opening of the PDP headquarters in Benin City, I want to call on President Buhari to stop the present practice of payment of financial bailout.

“Financial bailout by Buhari is a way of encouraging corruption in Nigeria, they (governors) have enough allocation for the local governments; so, the question the President should ask is: what is responsible for this government not being able to meet its financial obligations to the people in various local governments and not giving the state governors bailout funds”