Bayelsa Government To Spend N3b Loan On Vehicle Purchase Despite Owing Civil Servants

Members of the Bayelsa House Assembly, on Tuesday, met behind closed doors to approve Governor Henry Seriake Dickson’s request to borrow N3billion for the purchase of vehicles for legislators and other political appointees.

This was confirmed to journalists on Thursday by Mr. Kombowei Benson, Speaker of the Bayelsa State legislature.

The loan request by Mr. Dickson is coming at a time the government cannot meet its salary obligations to civil servants. In some ministries and departments, workers are owed a six-month backlog of salaries.

While the meeting at which the approval was given held on Tuesday, journalists were barred from covering the proceedings at the Assembly’s chambers in Yenagoa. They were, in fact, compelled to leave the Assembly Complex.

Defending the decision of the House, the Speaker said the House decided to consider the loan application inCAMERA because it was not slated to last for a long time.

"The sitting lasted for less than 30 minutes and we felt that there was no need for media coverage for such a brief session. There is a need for the cars. We have been without cars for about two years after inauguration.

"The same goes for other political appointees who need cars to function effectively and discharge their duties.

"Some vehicles will also be acquired for the state security outfit christened 'Operation Doo Akpo,' which is almost moribund for lack of operational vehicles.

"The decision was unanimous. What we can do is to buy affordable cars to save cost," Benson told journalists on Thursday.

THE SPEAKERdeclined to provide the number of vehicles to be purchased with the loan.

Civil servants have, however, condemned the move, branding it insensitive.

"It is insensitive of the government to be taking loans to buy cars for the legislators, whose emoluments have been paid regularly. Civil servants have not been paid. This is unreasonable," said a civil servant, who identified himself as Mr. Tari Jones.

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BY SAHARAREPORTERS, NEW YORK