Pix from left shows Delta SSG Comrade Ovuozorie Macaulay, and right is the HPM, Mr. Bernard. I. Chigwe
By SaharaReporters, New York
Does the Secretary to the State Government (SSG) in Delta State plant his own persons in the local councils to funnel money back to him?
This question is at the heart of a growing crisis in the Isoko North Local Government where the Head of Personnel Management (HPM), Mr. Bernard. I. Chigwe, is alleged to be funneling local resources from monthly allocations back to the SSG, Comrade Ovuozorie Macaulay, at the expense of local development.
Impeccable sources in the council, which include the accounts section, allege that the running battle is over monthly looting of the council treasury by Chigwe. Once workers' salaries have been accounted for from the monthly allocation, they said, the HPM remits whatever is left to Mr. Macaulay, who hails from the area.
One source, who challenged Mr. Macaulay take an oath, also disclosed that before the cash is allegedly remitted to the SSG, the HPM usually takes some "funny" endorsement letter to the council's treasurer, which the treasurer performs out of fear, and in recognition of the calibre of person the money is being remitted to.
"If not for fear of victimization and other ugly things that might happen, because you know this is political era and so many unpleasant things have happened to people, while should I beg you to withhold my name?" one source asked. "I would have given you the actual figures running into millions of Naira which the HPM always takes to the SSG but if I do, everybody will know that it was I that revealed the information. Once allocation comes and after payment of workers' salaries, HPM will take all the remaining money to the SSG. The HPM has always said it to the hearings of some of us that the SSG needs money and this always happens as soon as the monthly allocation comes."
Another council source told our reporter that what Mr. Chigwe is doing is not a new thing. According to him, it is the practice that the man met in office, and any attempt to stop the monthly ritual would spell doom for him.
"It is a known fact that right from time, the SSG decides whoever goes to the council as a local government chairman and as soon you are planted, you are therefore duty-bound to pay him homage every month the allocation comes and failure to do that you are on your own," he said. "These facts are very disputable and it is not peculiar to only Isoko North alone but across the 25 council areas in the state. As soon the monthly allocation comes, the council heads carry money to their state top government functionaries from such areas."
He said that the trend involved political leaders and state lawmakers are involved in this corrupt trend, with the HPMs dutifully ferrying funds meant for development to the politicians and government functionaries in Asaba.
Condemning the action of the Isoko North HPM and the alleged involvement of the SSG, a staunch member of the PDP in the council who also pleaded for anonymity said it was not news to him and that he had predicted it would blow into the open one day.
"Come to Ozoro, the head quarters of Isoko North council and see death trap dilapidated roads, when I mean dilapidated, you will be ashamed that this is the headquarters of the local government of Delta State SSG," he said.
He added that it was not in doubt that Delta State is known as one of the most corrupt states where government officials loot public funds meant for development without any atom of remorse.
Mr. Chigwe, however, denied all the allegations. Responding to our SMS, he said, "That is criminal lying terrible falsehood. I am sure none of my staff could ever conduct such a wild and misleading imagination ever. Currently we can hardly be able to pay salaries because of very lean allocations. Only God will surely punish such wicked plotters of evil."
In a subsequent meeting with our correspondent in his office at the Isoko North secretariat, Ozoro, the embattled HPM swore that the allegations were only the handiwork of his perceived enemies who happen to be his staff in the council.
He stated that enough resources have not been coming to the council not to talk of using the meagre funds that come in to service any politician.
Responding to an SMS sent to Comrade Macaulay's mobile, the SSG neither owned up nor denied the allegations. His answer to the question was, "Can you come with the HPM to my office on Monday including whoever told you that I have anything to do with the finances of the council please."
He knew full well that is neither an answer, nor is it likely that the reporter would assemble all his sources and drag them, along with the HPM, to Asaba at the pleasure of the SSG.
News
Orignal From: Delta State SSG Accused of Mopping Up Council Monthly Allocations
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