From Attah Ede, Makurdi

The immediate past Special Adviser to Governor Hyacinth Alia on Bureau for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs (LGACA), Dr. Dennis Akura has dismissed the N20bn fraud allegedly uncovered at the Bureau in Benue State.

Dr. Akura, who is presently SA on Financial and Economic Strategy, Planning and Development to the Governor, described the allegation as a gross friction and baseless targeted at him to discredit his hard-earned reputation and good deed.

He stated this  in a statement he issued and made available to Daily Asset in Makurdi, while reacting to media reports where it was alleged that N20bn belonging to LGCs were embezzled under him.

An organisation identified as Global Integrity Crusade Network (GICN), with an acclaimed mandate to checkmate corruption and avail recommendations to anti-corruption agencies and the public for investigation, had in the media raised the alarm over the alleged fraud.

However, Akura in his statement said; “We read in a section of the media with utter dismay venal and mischievous allegations of missing ₦20bn in the Bureau for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, in Benue State.

“In the news story, “Global Integrity Crusade Network”(GICN) who claimed that their mandate is to checkmate corruption and availed recommendations to Anti-corruption Agencies and the public domain for investigation, had in a news report tried unsuccessfully to mislead the unsuspecting members of the public with bogus fallacious claims designed to discredit and distract the Alia administration.

“For the records, His Excellency Rev. Fr. Hyacinth Alia, a much disciplined leader whose standpoint is prudent management of resources did not direct the Special Adviser to the Governor on Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Dr Denis Akura, to monitor the diversion of over ₦20billion federal allocation which aggregated to the local government from the federal allocation in Benue State.  

“Again, as at June 2023 – 2nd October 2023, I was not at the helm of affairs at the Bureau. Therefore, making references to me within the period only exposes GICN’s main intention for the petition.

“Furthermore, it is on record that on  the assumption of duty at the Bureau, I  made it clear to all staff at the Bureau that I was directed by my boss to strictly adhere to the ‘workable administrative framework designed to restructure, revamp  cum return the lost glory at the local government administration in Benue State.

“It is unfortunate that GICN completely exposed itself once more of the mischievous or stark ignorance or both on the running and management of the Bureau. In Benue State, the Bureau for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs no longer controls the federal allocation or any funds of the local government areas.  A quasi-financial autonomy has been granted to the local government where the aggregated federal allocation of the local government goes directly to each and every local government area’s Accounts.

“The Bureau for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs as mandated by Governor Alia only Supervised, monitor and Coordinate the Affairs of the 23 local government areas through her Directorate of Monitoring and Inspection.

“Moreover, for transparency, the designated administrative framework has also directed all the local government area Caretaker Committee Chairmen to as a must be crediting their IGR into the local government area Accounts before transferring into the expenditures account to spend on the local government policies, Programmes and projects. All these decisions are deliberated and approved in the monthly Local Government Joint Account meetings”, Akura said.

The statement further stated that the same administrative framework has returned normalcy in the regular payment of local government salaries, imprest, pensions and gratuities; upfront payment of fresh retirees entitlements on or before 25th of every month with immediate enrollment on the pension payroll.

According to him, proposals of massive infrastructural development are collected by the Bureau across the 23 Local Government areas by the management of the Bureau.

“Within a short time, the Chairmen will soon be giving permission to prepare their local purchase orders to ignite massive infrastructural development ranging from overhaul renovation of the local government Quarters cum installation of street lights, and opening of ruler access roads to better the lives of rural dwellers in Benue State.

“The management of the Bureau does not have the mandate to share palliatives nor Christmas relieved materials as alleged in a section of the media.

“Finally hatchet jobs of this nature are to be expected, and we are expecting more to come in the nearest future especially now that the reform in various sectors of government by the Alia administration continues to gather steam”.

Akura alluded that Governor Alia had promised and declared that Benue people deserve to know what happens with their money and therefore, not afraid of any petition and shall not hesitate to reply to any, as there is nothing to hide.