From Odeh Ogaji, Jalingo
A pressure group, Taraba State Watchdog for Good Governance (TWGG), has called on the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to advise commercial Banks operating in the country not to grant additional loan to Governor Darius Ishaku.
The group in a press statement issued to journalists in Jalingo, alleged that the state governor has proposed to obtain another loan in the name of the sixteen local governments.
According to the statement signed by the group coordinator, Alhaji. Sanusi Ahmed, a meeting at the instance of the Permanent Secretary, Bureau for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Alhaji Bello Yerro with the 16 local government Caretaker Committee Chairmen was held in Jalingo and they were allegedly made to sign a bond of N62.5m each on the directives of the state governor.
The statement claimed that the move was to enable the governor secure another N1bn loan from one of the commercial banks in the state, following the refusal of the state House of Assembly to grant a N10bn loan request of the governor late last year.
“It has become very imperative for us to come out and speak to secure the future of our dear state from being completely mortgaged.
“As we speak, we are aware of the plans by the state governor, Darius Ishaku through the Permanent Secretary, Bureau for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Alhaji Bello Yerro, to take a loan of N1bn to enable him complete ongoing projects in the state.
“This is apart from several billion naira loans he has already incurred without anything commensurate to show for it. This is a governor that has said at several public functions that he has completed all projects that he was supposed to execute in eight years under seven years, so what projects is he borrowing to complete again?
“As we speak, go to Pantisawa/Yorro, Pamanga/Dakka, Wukari/Tsukundi and, Mararaba/Baisa/Abong roads as well as the three General Hospitals in Gembu, Bambur and Wukari. None of these has been completed. Even the Jalingo Dual Carriage way may not be completed before the end of his tenure despite several claims that he has completed the projects.
“We see this loan as a conduit pipe by the governor to siphon the funds to his private pocket. This is a governor that has taken the state backward in all ramifications and just as the people are preparing to heave a sigh of relief that his time is finally coming to an end, he is trying to inflict even more damage before his exit.
“We wish to call on the EFCC to come to the aid of the state and advise all commercial banks not to grant any loan request to the governor in the name of the state”, the statement read.
Efforts to reach Alhaji Bello Yerro, Permanent Secretary, Bureau for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs for his reactions were not successful as his mobile lines were unreachable.
Meanwhile, Mr Bala Dan Abu, Special Adviser to Governor Darius Ishaku on Media and Publicity, denied knowledge about the development and declared that the statement was a politically sponsored move to blackmail Governor Ishaku.