Is Governor Ortom Out to Ruin Benue? Asks Yemi Adebowale

I was hoping that Governor Samuel Ortom of Benue State would deny reports that he spent about N560 million to acquire luxury cars for commissioners, special advisers and local government chairmen. The cars were also alleged to have been bought at inflated prices. So far, no denial has come from Ortom. So, the story about buying 13 Prado cars at N240.5 million, with each allegedly costing the state N18.5 million and 43 new Toyota Corolla cars at the cost of N318.2 million with each allegedly delivered at N7.4 million is indeed true. I don’t understand what commissioners and special advisers in a bankrupt state like Benue would be doing with Prado. Civil servants in this state are still being owed salaries of between three and five months, yet, Ortom does not see anything wrong with splashing N560 million on luxury cars.

It is even more painful to learn that the cars were purchased at inflated prices. The Prado allegedly delivered at N18.5 million each, cost just about N11 million in the open market. The Toyota Corolla cars allegedly delivered at N7.4 million each is just about N5 million in the open market. So, this is the “change” Ortom promised the people of Benue State? The Benue governor has also plunged the state into a very big debt. In just seven months, he has taken N22 billion loan from banks. This is in addition to the N28 billion bailout loan from the federal government. The bailout was specifically to pay outstanding salaries. Just like in many states, this was only partially done by Ortom. As a result, civil servants in the state are still wallowing in poverty, just as former governor Gabriel Suswam left them. Virtually everything is at a standstill in Benue State. The development promised by Ortom is fast becoming an illusion. The founding fathers of this state must rise up against this profligate administration before it is too late.

THISDAY