Kogi State Peoples Democratic Party-led Government has described a statement credited to the State Chapter of the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) that the State has mismanaged donations received for the Flood Disaster Management in the State as frivolous, unfounded and an attempt at scoring a cheap political point.
Reacting to the report published by some dailies on Monday, 17th December, 2012, and credited to the State Chairman of ACN, Alhaji Haddy Ametuo, the State Deputy Governor, Yomi Awoniyi, said it was surprising that a political party of ACN standing could make such wild allegations full of falsehoods against his person, his Boss and the State Government.
He further remarked that to shamelessly declare that he has bought the Grand Mirage Hotel and properties in Abuja,is so pedestrian, and false.
Awoniyi pointed out that since the lie was put out purely to cast aspersions on his integrity and smear his name by portraying him as one who is dipping his hands into the coffers of government to acquire ill gotten assets and wealth, it behoves upon the accuser and the publishers of the said article to embrace the profound implications of these wild allegations.
The Deputy Governor reiterated his earlier statements that the donations received for the flood relief management has been used judiciously.
He affirmed that not One Kobo had been spent for any purposes other than matters relating to or in connection with the flood.
The Deputy Governor, who is the Chairman of the Flood Relief Management Committee, described the allegation by Alhaji Haddy Ametuo,that the rice donated for flood relief was being used as Sallah and Christmas gifts by the State Government as laughable, explaining that distribution of the items to the victims, which still continues in camps and victims homes’, was being handled by top Government functionaries under his supervision, and the directive of His Excellency, Capt. Idris Wada.
He further commented and declared as very ridiculous, the allegation that he and Governor Idris Wada were using State Government money to acquire properties, saying that the ACN Chairman should have applied his mind to wisdom rather than throw caution to the winds.
Awoniyi, advised all those peddling unfounded information against the State Government to look for other jobs to do as all their antics cannot distract the Government from its programmes of action to lay a solid foundation for sustainable socio-economic progress of the State.
“To the mischief makers, it may appear we are not making progress, but all well-meaning citizens and people who have knowledge of the problems of the State know that we are doing a lot to create a platform for an orderly growth of the State based on best practices of modern governance”, the Deputy Governor said.
He assured the people of the State, particularly the flood victims, that the re-settlement programme for the victims, is on course and is based on the principles of fairness, equity, justice and transparency.
The Deputy Governor explained that the State Government is at present compiling necessary data on the over six hundred thousand victims of the flood and their property, and urged all those concerned to be patient, as,with the winding down of relief camps,various communities will continue to receive succour from Government along with addressing the issue of damaged buildings and farmlands in a comprehensive manner.
