Benue probe panel asks 52 individuals to refund N107bn into the state coffers

BY PETER DURU, MAKURDI

THE Justice Kpojime Commission of Inquiry set up by the Governor Samuel Ortom led administration to probe the income and expenditure of Benue State between the year 2007 and 2015 has asked that 52 individuals and 10 corporate bodies refund over N107 billion to the coffers of the state government.

This was part of the recommendations contained in the final report of the commission submitted yesterday to Governor Samuel Ortom by the Chairman of the panel, Justice Elizabeth Kpojime, in Makurdi the state capital.

Speaking at the occasion, Justice Kpojime disclosed that during the period covered by the assignment, N1. 21 trillion accrued to the state from about 27 identified sources out of which N802 billion was appropriated while N219 billion was expended but not appropriated.

She said “Out of the total revenue that accrued to the state, only 15 per cent thereof was allocated to capital expenditure, while 85 per cent was for recurrent expenditure,” Justice Kpojime stated.

“The little amount allocated to capital expenditure was characterized by lack of due diligence in contract awards, contracts inflation, abandonment of projects after collecting payments as well as payments for jobs not done, while there were multiple payments for same jobs.”

Receiving the report, Governor Ortom commended members of the commission for meticulously discharging the responsibility within the time frame given to them.

He said his government would set up a white paper drafting committee immediately; assuring that the white paper would be implemented to the letter.