The Bayelsa State Government has denied
engaging a revenue consultant for deductions of the Paris Club refunds.
In a statement issued by the state’s Finance
Commissioner, Maxwell Ebibai, the state government urged its citizens to
disregard the report.
The statement read: “The attention of the
Bayelsa State Ministry of Finance has been drawn to a publication on one of the
National Newspapers that a Revenue Consultant has taken all the 36 States and
the Governors’ Forum to court with the claim that it handled the Paris Club
over-deductions from states accounts as the primary consultant and alleged that
fees from the Paris Club refund are being paid to an unknown consultant.
The commissioner called on the good people of
Bayelsa State and the general public to be informed that, the Government did not and has never engaged
the services of a Revenue Consultant, in respect of the Paris- Club
over-deductions or refunds, neither has it paid any funds to any consultant.
“It is however, pertinent to note that, the
previous Government had some conflicting consultancy relationships, in respect
of other sundry revenue matters on such terms that are out of tune with the
standard practices as obtainable in sane climes.”
The finance commissioner says, the Ministry of
Justice is vigorously defending the State’s position in the court of law as
appropriate.
“In line with the policy thrust of the
Restoration Government to ensure accountability, transparency and high ethical
standards in the conduct of Government business, the good people of Bayelsa
State are assured that this Government will do all within its powers and
resources to ensure that, no unscrupulous consultant takes undue advantage of
the Government.”
He added that, the Government will seek every
available option for redress in the Court of Law to ensure that, only those
whose services are genuine and add value get paid, in terms of reflective value
for money and commensurate with the value proposition delivered.
The sun reported That, the hard earned resources of the state
will continue to be deployed in the best interest of the developmental
aspirations of the people of Bayelsa State.
Ebibai, therefore, enjoins Bayelsans to
discountenance the said publication, as the Restoration Government of Governor
Henry Seriake Dickson takes seriously the social contract between the
Government and the people of Bayelsa State with every sense of responsibility
and will do all it can to uphold and protect it.
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