United Ijaw States

Assembly Complex
Amarata, Yenagoa,
P.M.B. 37
Bayelsa State.
084-490382
490374
490375
490230
(All replies to be addressed to the Clerk of the House)

The Honourable Speaker,
05 June 2001
Bayelsa State House of Assembly,
Amarata-Yenagoa.

Sir,

NOTICE OF IMPEACHMENT OF HIS EXCELLENCY CHIEF D.S.P. ALAMIEYESEIGHA(JP), THE GOVERNOR OF BAYELSA STATE OF NIGERIA PURSUANT TO SECTION 188 OF THE CONSTITUTION OF THE FEDERAL REPUBLIC OF NIGERIA, 1999.

We the undersigned Honourable members of the Bayelsa State House of Assembly hereby give you NOTICE that His Excellency Chief D.S.P. ALAMIEYESEIGHA is guilty of GROSS MISCONDUCT in the performance of the functions of his office, which renders him liable to be IMPEACHED from office.

PARTICULARS of the various acts constituting the GROSS MISCONDUCT are as follows:

1.CORRUPTION:
Fraudulent payments and inflated contract values of certain projects as contained below:

(a) Fraudulent payment of N105 million for Feasibility Report on Yenagoa Air Strip on 20th November, 2000, to himself through a fake Company BRITIS INVESTMENT LTD.

(b) Fraudulent payment of N71,400,000.00 (seventy-one million, four hundred thousand)naira for Feasibility Report of Purported Bayelsa State Refinery on 28th August, 2000 to himself through a fake company- MULTI WEB (NIG) LTD

(c) Fraudulent payment of N68,250,000.00 (sixty-eight million two hundred and fifty thousand) naira for Visibility Report on purported Ultra Modern Radio Communication Network in Bayelsa State on 28th August, 2000 to himself through a fake company- VINNY INVESTMENTS LTD

(d) Fraudulent payment of N1 04 million for Feasibility Report on the purported establishment of a Sea Port in Bayelsa State on 7th September, 2000 to himself through a fake company TEE NETWORK LTD.

(e) Fraudulent payment of N99,333,333.32 (ninety-nine million, three hundred and thirty-three thousand, three hundred and thirty-three naira, thirty-two kobo) for Feasibility Report on the purported establishment of a Multi purpose Oil Mill for Bayelsa State on 20th November, 2000 to himself through a fake company -MULTI WEB NIG) LTD.

(f) Fraudulent payment of N110 million for Feasibility Report and Drawings for the purported Establishment of Yenagoa Gas Plant on 7th December, 2000 to himself through a fake Company JORVIZ NIG LTD.

g) Fraudulent payment of N159,500,000.00 (one hundred and fifty-nine million, five hundred thousand )naira for Feasibility Study on the purported Establishment of Cement Factory in Bayelsa State on 19th December, 2000 to himself through a fake company B-UNION PARTNERS

(h) Fraudulent payment of N385million as General. Mobilization for Memorandum Understanding between Bayelsa State and B & B Construct (Nig) Ltd on 8th December, 2000 to himself through a fake company - the M.D. of  B & B CONSTRUCTION (NIG) LTD.

(i) Fraudulent payment of N159,000,000.00 (one hundred and fifty-nine million, five hundred thousand) naira paid to DEPUTY DIRECTOR  A.D.M. INVESTMENT LTD. for Feasibility Studies on the purported establishment of a Shrimps Factory in the State on 19th January, 2001 to himself through a fake company to the -Deputy Director of A.D.M. INVESTMENT LTD.

(j) Fraudulent payment of N79,200,000.OO (seventy-nine million, two hundred thousand naira to LEE VENTURES LTD for Feasibility Report on the Automation and Computerization of all Government Departments in the State on 19th January, 2001 to himself through a fake company LEE VENTURES LTD.

(k) Fraudulent payment of N85,166,666.66 (eighty-five million, one hundred and sixty-sixt housand, six hundred and sixty- six hundred, sixty-six kobo) for Feasibility Report one the establishment of Pineapple Plantation to THE EXECUTIVE CHAIRMAN, GRACELAND INTERNATIONAL LTD on 23rd October, 2000 to himself through a fake company - GRACELAND INTERNATIONAL LTD.

(l) THE PURCHASE OF GOVERNOR’S LODGE AT BOURDILION ROAD~ IKOYI, LAGOS at an inflated value of N380 million which was initially bought by His Excellency the Governor in his personal name before subsequent transfer to the State Government.

(m) GOVERNOR’S LODGE ABUJA bought for an inflated value of NI60 million instead of N10 million.

(n) Expenditure of N850 million to host the PRESIDENT during his two day working visit to the State. This budget has since been found to be scandalously over-inflated.

(0) CONSTRUCTION AND FURNISHING OF THE HOUSE OF ASSEMBLE COMPLEX from N100 million to N350 million.

(p) Fraudulently TRANSFERRED $4 million US dollars to his private accounts abroad in 1999.

(q) FRAUDULENT TRANSFER of $20 million US dollars to his private account between January and March, 2000.

(r) Award of fictitious contract for which several billions of Naira has been paid for no work done. For example, there is nothing to show on ground for the several billions of Naira spent at the Niger Delta University at Wilberforce Island.

(s) Failure and/or refusal to implement Section 48 of the Local Government (Administration) law of Bayelsa State 2000 requiring the State Government to pay over to the Local Government Council 20% of the Revenue accruing to the State on account of derivation from the Federal Account since January, 2000.

(t) Creation of illegal bodies to siphon public funds viz.:

(i) D.S.P. Foundation and the D.S.P. Rice Scheme in which public fund are diverted surreptitiously.

(ii) BayeIsa State Health Service Scheme co-ordinated by the wife of the former Commissioner for Health into which the sum of N10 million is directly disbursed to monthly. This body is neither created by law nor the money expended therein provided for in the successive appropriation laws of the State for the year 1999, 2000 and 2001.

(u) Dualization of Mbiama/Yenagoa Road from Yenagoa to Igbogene (17 kilometers) from N300 Million to N900 million.

(v) Sagbama/Ekeremor Road from N800 million to N1.7 billion

(w) Sandfilling, Piling and dredging of Amasoma town from N2 billion to N10 billion.

(x) State Secretariat Complex.

(y) Education of his illiterate wife in London from August,1999 to December, 2000 at the expense of the State Government.

Furthermore, the allegations of embezzlement and charges of impeachment levied against the governor must be cleared up. The governor must be made to account for his actions or inactions.

(z) Fraudulent acquisition of several choice Landed Properties in., Lagos, Abuja, Yenagoa, London, Paris and California in USA.

(z) i Purchase of out-dated printing equipment from Sunray Publication for an inflated amount of N1.2 billion in the year 2000, when less than that amount would have afforded brand new modern equipment for the State.

2. ABUSE OF OFFICE
Persistently taking actions in violation of the Constitution and extant Legislations.

(a) Constitution of the Board of Directors of the following Statutory bodies and State owned Companies in contravention of the enabling laws:

(i)    Bayelsa State Property and Investment Company;
(ii)   Sports Council;
(iii)  Environmental Sanitation Authority;
(iv)  Post Primary Schools Board;
(v)   Scholarship Board;
(vi)   Bayelsa State Transport Company;
(vii)  Bayelsa State Property Development Authority;
(viii) Bayelsa State internal Revenue Board;
(ix)   Bayelsa State Electricity Board;
(x)    Bayelsa Palms.  ( In the case of Bayelsa Palms, there is even no enabling law. )

(b) Robustly nourishing corruption as state policy in Bayelsa State. Thus, transparency and probity in the conduct of public affairs his fading completely. Despite repeated demands by the House Committees on Finance and Appropriation, and Public Accounts, the Governor has refused to give account of the Income and Expenditure of the State since 1999.

(c) General incompetence in the administration of the State occasioned by frequent travels overseas to conduct his private businesses Incorporation of the Bayelsa Oil Company with his son Tonbra Alamieyeseigha major shareholder and failure/neglect to provide any infrastructure like roads, water and electricity etc. to the people of the State despite the huge revenue accruing to the State. In fact, there is no development blueprint for the State. The Governor has no focus.

(d) Non-implementation of the Appropriation and Supplementary Appropriation Laws of BayeIsa State, 1999 and 2000.

(e) Lopsided appointments of persons in the public offices in the State contrary to Section 14(4) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. 80% of all the appointments in the State are given to people from his Local Government Area.

(f) Lopsided development in the State. All development projects are centered at and around Amasoma town and Wilberforce Island.

(g) Deliberate impoverishment of the people of Bayelsa State by awarding contracts to only non-indigenes who are not executing the contracts after collecting mobilization fee e.g., Air- Commodore Adeleye N5 billion, Chaugury and Chaugury N6 billion naira, Aliyu N5 billion naira; Col. Dauda Komo N3.5 billion naira, Chief Itsei N4 billion naira, Doyin Okukpe N2 billion naira, Galant from Edo State, N4.5billion naira just to mention a few.

(h) Refusal to constitute a State Tender Board and thereby awarding all contracts solely without recourse to a tenders board which is yet not created by Law.

(i) Invitation of soldiers to invade Odi in 1999.

(j) Ordering the arrest of a contestant for the office of Amananaowei of Amasoma because he was not the candidate of his choice and ordering that the Bayelsa State Chairman and Secretary of the All Peoples party (A.P.P) to be stoned to death if found in the State.

(k) Repeated threats to invade the House of Assembly with the Nigeria Police and hired thugs.

(l) Interference in the internal affairs of the House. of Assembly contrary to the provisions of the Constitution by deploying public officers to and from the House without knowledge of and consultations with the Speaker of the House of Assembly.

3 EXTRA-BUDGETARY AND FRAUDULENT EXPENDITURES:

(a) Fraudulent approval of monthly schedule of payments instead of the Commissioner of Finance and Accountant-General as provided for in the Appropriation Laws.
(b) Negotiation and procurement of N38 billion foreign and Local Loans without the knowledge and approval of the House of Assembly and thereby mortgaging the future of the State and subsequent payment of same into his Foreign Account.

(c) Granted Commissioners and Special Advisers N5 million each as furniture allowance two weeks before they were relieved of their appointment as against the N2 million provided for in the enabling Law.

(d) Renovation of the CREEK MOTEL Yenagoa at the sum of N1 billion naira by the popular Chaugury and Chaugury and subsequent management of the Motel by the same Chaugury Group without any Management Agreement.

(e) The governor awarded contracts at stupendously inflated rates for the construction of a Governor’s Lodge, at Lagos and Abuja respectively; several projects at Niger Delta University site, Wilberforce Island and several other projects at Amasoma and Ogobiri without budgetary approval.

(f) Amasoma contrary to the Niger Delta University law, 2000.

(g) Use of the State funds to launch the Governor’s Campaign for re-election in the year 2003. In pursuance of this he has constituted several committees for his re-election in 2003. These committees are funded from State funds.

(h) Establishment of Directorate of Special Project without any legal instrument. Under this scheme, the Governor has been siphoning funds from projects approved in the Appropriation

(h) Establishment of Directorate of Special Project without any legal instrument. Under this scheme, the Governor has been siphoning funds from projects approved in the Appropriation Laws for different Ministries contrary to the successive Appropriate Laws.

We trust that you will take appropriate action on this matter in accordance with the Provision of Section 188(2)(b) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999.

1. Hon. Ayebaesin Edoghotu
2. Hon. Ayeiba Crowder Duba
3. Hon. Indutimi Komonibo
4. Hon. Nelson Belief
5. Hon. Bomotei Alamene
6. Hon. Adoiphus E.fongo
7. Hon. KenigboloOgilivie
8. Hon. Charles Emmanuel
9. Hon. Clever Ikisikpo
10. Hon. Bemoye Pogonyo
11. Hon. Bright Ereware - Pudieyo
12. Hon. Nein Ebiakpo

 

Source: The Guardian On-Line - http://ngrguardiannews.com

Friday, March 15, 2002.

APP condemns Bayelsa’s bid for new govt house

From David Owei,

Yenagoa

IF the Bayelsa State government is sensitive to the people’s misery and frustration, it would not contemplate spending N2.6 billion to construct a new Government House, the All People’s Party (APP) in the state has said.

In a statement in Yenagoa, APP’s secretary, Mr. Ayebide Fatiede, observed that the decision to embark on this unnecessary venture at this point of near bankruptcy of the Governor Diepreye Alamiesegha administration is a celebration of the misery, which Bayelsans have been subjected for the past three years.

"It defies wisdom that a state that has no electricity, school or health facilities and in difficulty to meet recurrent expenditures. While some councils are owing over three months salary arrears could even contemplate such an expenditure," it said.

Fatiede said: "Even our deadened human shock absorbers from three years of serial fraud and wastage of this People’s Democratic Party (PDP) led government could not absorb this particular new world record of a government’s insensitivity to the people’s misery and frustration."

He condemned what he described as the conspiracy between the Bayelsa House of Assembly and the executive to pass this provision in the 2002 Appropriation Bill, adding that the House by this commission is liable for criminal prosecuting.

The party noted that through the yearly budgetary provisions, over N3 billion had been expended in the last three years for the renovation and expansion of the existing Government House which has made it one of the best in the country and wondered why the construction of another is being contemplated.

It demanded a stop to "this new insult on the intellect of Bayelsans."

"Govt cannot without recourse of basic rationality by fiat or legislative gross misconduct, steal public funds under the cloak of irresponsible public project and expect the people to remain quite," the party said.

The APP concluded that it would hold the legislature responsible for the PDP’s fraud on the people.

Bayelsans and Ijaws Abroad
Ijaw Pro-Leadership Forum

Bayelsa Unanswered Financial Questions   

Fellow Ijaws & Citizens of the World,

In the course of Ijaw political life, when it becomes necessary for Ijaws in any state to demand financial accountability and transparency of the leadership which governs them,

We hold these IZONS to be self-evident that we are well endowed by our creator with certain unalienable rights which include Life, Liberty, Freedom of Speech, and the Pursuit of Happiness and that to secure these Rights, our government by laws and the power to enforce are instituted among us. When our form of government or leadership becomes corrupt and destructive, when a series of abuses and ursurpations reduces our people to mere background participants, while our elected officials are accused of fraudulent financial misdeed, when they are accused of carting  away and looting our treasury, it is our Right, it is our Duty, to publicly demand that these officials answer truthfully to the people whom they swore an oath to faithfully serve. Fellow Ijaws and citizens of the world, it is time for the Governor, Deputy Governor, the Speaker of the House of Assembly, the Commissioner for Finance, the state Accountant General and other knowledgeable state officials to provide answers to these serious allegations of financial improprieties. We demand that they tell us who got what, when, how much and for what purpose? We also demand that, all those whose names appear below to take this opportunity to publish evidence refuting these alleged fraud and clear their good names.
 
When elected officials are accused of embezzling  =N= 1 Billion of scarce state fund in the guise of feasibility studies, we demand an answer. 
When an elected official is accused of embezzling  =N= 2 Billion on fraudulent contract to one Doyin Okupe, we reserve the right to demand accountable
When elected officials are accused of embezzling  =N= 4 Billion on fraudulent contract to one Chief Itsei, it is time to hold them accountable; we demand answers.
When elected officials are accused of embezzling  =N= 5 Billion on fraudulent contract to one Air Commodore Adeleye, we ask you to clear your name.
When elected officials are accused of embezzling  =N= 6 Billion on fraudulent contract to Chaugury & Chaugury, we ask them to explain why.
When an elected official is accused of defrauding the State of  =N= 3.5 Billion on fraudulent contract to one Col. Dauda Komo, we say clear up the mess and be accountable.
When elected officials advocate =N= 2.6 Billion governors mansion while the children have no books, chairs or desks, no food or medical care, we want answers.
When elected official spends =N= 100 Billion over four years and has little or nothing to show for that sum of money, we want an explanation.
 
We also demand that the governor and this administration explain to the people he swore to faithfully serve, how he can negotiate a convoluted =N= 2 Billion naira loan from Standard Trust Bank in June of 2001, with a =N= 175 Million a month payment for 15 consecutive months. Why it is not reckless, fraudulent and criminal to now guarantee the =N= 175 Million payment with a =N= 750 Million a month deduction from source until further notice.We ask that he point to the legislation that authorized this and how the money was expended. We believe that when elected officials are alleged to have colluded with a bank to deduct =N= 750 million on a monthly basis for 15 months on a supposed =N= 2 billion loan facility, the Governor, his deputy, the Speaker and the House leadership, the Commissioner for Finance, the Accountant Generals and the bank officials, must be held accountable for their deeds, they must refund the peoples money and they must pay for their misdeed or clear their good names. We also ask that if the STANDARD TRUST BANK (STB) has not colluded with officials to defraud BAYELSA STATE, and have not colluded in bringing SORROW TEARS & BLOOD (STB) to our children and families, we ask them to take this opportunity to clear their name publicly or face the wrath of the law and the citizens. We ask the following Standard Trust Bank official to publicly explain their role in this loan scheme: Ferdinand Alabraba, Chairman, Tony Elumelu, CEO,  Isaac Yalah,  Business Manager and Solomon Apreala, Group Head Public Sector, STB. Yenagoa. We want to assure you that we will not relent in our efforts to recover all illegal gains from this loan of death that was strung on Bayelsa and it’s people by corrupt elected leaders if this happens to be the case.

We say from this day forward, the Ijaw people will lead and our leaders will follow. It’s our money and we demand accountability. We say no to robber politicians and we refuse to continue to mortgage our children’s future. We demand and expect better from our leaders. If our corrupt leaders continue to keep the citizens in poverty by their actions, and will not give respite to corruption, intimidation and selfish personal aggrandizement, we say they all shall never see rest and we shall never let them know peace, as long as they continue in their ways. We did not elect Kings or Lords, and we reject any and all dictator leaders. We may not be able to prevent birds from flying over our heads, but we can prevent them from nesting there. We are so resolved to stop any such nesting by God’s special grace.

 

Titoe Miriki

Ijaw Leadership Forum
Ijaw Pro-Active Leadership Forum      

 

We , the people of the State of Bayelsa, and Ijawland, being grateful to Almighty God for our liberty, in order to secure its benefits, perfect our government, insure domestic tranquility, maintain public order, seek sustainable social and economic development, true democracy, liberty, equality, justice and positive participation of all at all levels of the economy and society by all her citizens, exercising our rights to free speech and assemble, call urgently on the Bayelsa State House of Assembly to kill the =N= 15 Billion (Naira) Loan Development Bill before the House for these and other reasons:

1. Bayelsans and Ijaws have demanded that this administration explain how it disbursed approximately =N= 50 billion (naira) public revenue.

2. We call on members of the Bayelsa State House of Assembly to use this occasion to underline their patriotism and unanimously reject this bill of enslavement. It is only then that posterity will exonerate them.

3. Allegations of corruption, embezzlement and wanton misuse of public funds are still unaswered.

4. This leadership does not and has not represented the interest of the people of Bayelsa State.

5. This administration has for 35 months squandered billions of Naira in the public coffers. Why is the administration suddenly seeking the development of Bayelsa in the last year of the four-year term. The administration must explain what they have done in the last three years to help improve the lot of the people whose confidence it has betrayed after swearing faithfully to represent the people of Bayelsa State.

6. We refuse to mortgage our future and that of posterity to unaccountable leaders.

* We therefore call on the BAYELSA STATE ASSEMBLY to kill this bill now in committee.

* We hereby notify all elected officials and financial institutions that are interested in this loan scheme that:

1. This bill of enslavement should not pass the House.

2. If in the event that this bill passes, no financial institution in their right mind should loan money to Bayelsa State knowing fully well that the State is in financial distress. (Cumulative debt approaching =N=45 Billion)

3. If in the event that any financial institution decides to loan money to Bayelsa State at this time,they do so at their own risk.(Both domestic and International
    Financial Institutions)

4. We resolve to hold our elected officials and financial institutions that do business with her to thorough accountability.

5. Financial institutions and elected officials that collude to defraud Bayelsa State, will be sought after, and prosecuted.

6. We shall purpose to recover as much as we can from these institutions and officials, including family members.

We beseech everyone involved to take a step back and rethink their positions. We refuse to oblige corrupt practices and we refuse to be silent about embezzlement in Bayelsa anymore. Our goal is for the redistribution of wealth, for the well-being of our aged, for the advancement of our youth, for the liberation of our people and for the protection of our children.

Enough is enough. Stop the insanity now.

Signed:

Titoe Miriki

For Concerned Bayelsa Citizens
For Concerned Ijaw People

1. Titoe Miriki, Miami, Florida. USA
2. Hermon Alamene, Dallas, Texas. USA
3. Timi Okoinyan, Miami, Florida. USA
4. Beena Layefa Youdeowei, Rockville, Maryland. USA
5. Akpodigha Filatei, Boston, Massachusetts. USA.
6. Paul Ebikibo Ekadi, Dallas, Texas. USA
7. Rowland Ekperi, London, England
8. Dr. Ebipamone N. Nanakumo , Boston, Massachusetts. USA
9. Oyinkepreeyi Oti, Lagos, Nigeria
10.Timi Odozi, Dallas, Texas. USA
11. Dr. Joseph Miebi. Ebiware, Adams, Massachusetts. USA
12. Helen Ogobri USA
13. Felix Tuodolo , London, England
14. Amagbe Kentebe, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. USA
15. Richard Konugah, USA
16. Boston Edogi , USA
17. Francis O. Akeni, USA .
18. Sunday Engi, USA.
19. Frank O. Ogeh, USA
20. Timiadi Edogi, USA
21.Oki Edu, San Leandro, California. USA
22. Patterson Ogon, Yenagoa, Bayelsa. Nigeria
23. Dr. Edwin Sawacha, London, England
24. Mr. Opubo G. Benebo , Wallington, New Jersey. USA
25. Dr. Peter Kagbala, St. Vincent, West Indies
26. Ebikaboere H. Kagbala, St. Vincent, West Indies
27. Tiefa K. Niweigha, San Jose, California, USA.
28. Fred Nyananyo, Atlanta, Georgia. USA
29. Priye Zuofa, Atlanta, Georgia. USA
30. Bea Kpou, Atlanta, Georgia. USA
31. Godfrey Okoro, San Jose, California. USA

 

TIME TO RECLAIM THE CREEKS

Text Of a Press Conference by the People’s Power Project held on the 1st of May 2002, Lagos, Nigeria

Gentlemen of the Press,

This press conference has been convened to address a growing concern about the intensification of the swindle and disempowerment of the peoples of the Niger Delta by the central government and mostunfortunately by the political leadership of the Niger Delta, especially the governors.

The peoples of the Niger Delta have since pre-colonial times been the butt of unjust exploitation. But they have also been a courageous people. They have fought gallantly for their environment, political and social rights against the British and later against the parasitic and unrepresentative central governments of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. In this battle, the forces of deprivation and oppression have been allied with powerful corporations, the Royal Niger Company in pre-colonial and colonial times and now the Royal Dutch Shell and other multinational companies which together with the Government of Nigeria constitute a rapacious coven of parasitic iniquity.

It has become clear to us that if the peoples of the Niger Delta are to make any further progress in the struggle for self-determination and resource control, one of the most immediate and challenging assignments which must be taken up is the effective monitoring of the activities of governments of the Niger Delta states, particularly in the use and management of our common resources.

This has become more urgent because of the corrupt and inept manner with which they have governed our common affairs within the past three years. At no time in the long history of our Niger Delta has so much money been available to be applied towards the development of the Niger Delta, yet we have witnessed an unfortunate neglect matched in intensity only by their vulgar opulence, displayed by members of state administrations in the Niger Delta and their relations and acolytes.

On the 23rd June 2001, social change activists in Bayelsa State convened by the first All Bayelsa Youth Summit. The summit was organized in the words of the conveners against the backdrop of, but not as a reaction to, the on-going crisis of confidence in government as an institution, and the perceived inability of government to meet the expectations of the people of Bayelsa State.’

The crisis of confidence referred to then was that which followed the grave allegations of corruption and abuse of power leveled against the Governor of Bayelsa State, Chief D.S.P. Alamieyeseigha by the ousted speaker of the State House of Assembly.

The conveners of the summit observed that since the advent of the fourth republic and the struggle for resource control and self- determination, there has been an increased allocation of resources to Bayelsa State even though the increment falls desperately short of the expectations of the people of the State. The yearly budget of Bayelsa State before the democratic dispensation was never above 1.5 billion Naira. This average sum when contrasted with the current revenue profile of more than one and a half billion Naira on a monthly basis was indicative of more than a marginal shift to the positive. This gave cause to hope for a corresponding positive impact on the development of Bayelsa State.

By all appearances, this hope is misplaced as the social and economic condition of the people has continued to deteriorate. Unemployment has reached an all time high and disillusionment can be felt in the streets of Bayelsa and the other states of the delta. As if this is not bad enough, the elite, the traditional institution and political class, kowtowing to the power of incumbency has failed to stand by our people. The have continued to play the onlooker at a time when the neutral ground no longer exists.

Tragically, the onlookers even include people who aspire to govern the state. These people have, in general, so far not been able to distinguish themselves from the band of plunderers by standing for the people they claim to love and hope to govern.

In the event, the sensible thing to all concerned is to organize ourselves in such a manner that we the people would retake the initiative and reassert our primacy. We, the people must through an assertion of will bend government to grasp the idea that Power belongs to the people and that real people count.

This is possible because the people already exercise their powers every day at the community level with the direct access people have to the decision making process in our various communities through control of the Community Development Committees (CDCs) which work directly under the supervision of our people. Our local government councils and state governments are quite similar to our CDCs. There exists only a difference in scale. What we can achieve with our CDCs can equally be achieved with our state and local governments. What we need to do is to organize ourselves from our various communities to meet the challenge of reining in a government that has deviated. People have the capacity, where they are conscious of this capacity, to compel government to do the right thing. This can be achieved through several means, including: peaceful protests and general strike actions among others.

At the moment an issue has presented itself with which we can test the power of the people and see how potent it can be. The government of Bayelsa State has expressed an intention to go the capital market to borrow an estimated sum of 15 billion Naira in form of development bonds. A bill is currently before the Bayelsa State House of Assembly to empower the government to carry out this intention.

Given the level of opposition the bill generated by complementary efforts by civil society, it is now apparent that the people of Bayelsa State are poised to stop the loan. Reasons that have been advanced for the opposition to the loan include but are not limited to:
1. The Government of Bayelsa State under the leadership of DSP Alamieyeseigha does not have a reliable record of prudent financial management.
2. The government has not been able to reasonably clear itself of allegations of gross abuse of pubic trust and glutinous corruption.
3. The Government of Bayelsa State already owes undisclosed sums of money to several commercial banks, the repayment of which has become a source of hardship to the State.
4. The government has not been able to show what it has done for the people with the huge amount of money that has come from the derivation fund.
5. Given the lame-duck status of the current administration, it will be unwise and perhaps suspicious for the Government to borrow that much money without full disclosure and adequate public input. This is particularly unacceptable against the backdrop of widespread belief that the loan is being planned as seed money for the governor’s second term bid.
There is hope that whether the people succeed in blocking this loan or not they would have been on the way to enthroning a culture of monitoring governance and making inputs to public policy.
The People’s Power Project is happy to work with the people of the Niger Delta, particularly in Bayelsa State to use appropriate tools to deal with the challenge of participatory governance. The Ijaw Youth Council (Central Zone), the Movement for the Survival of the Ethnic Nationality in the Delta, the Chikoko Movement, the Bayelsa Youth Summit amongst others are all allies with this initiative, and we are happy to have them here today side by side with us.
We will continue to work with the peoples of the Niger Delta to connect the electoral process with development, human rights, democracy and the lack of these.
This means that the peoples of the Niger Delta should work towards free and fair elections and ensure that people or parties without clear commitments to the Niger Delta are not allowed to rig their way into office. This aspect of the battle for resource control and self-determination is very important and will be a test of our seriousness and commitment as a people to our struggle for self-determination and resource control. People who have killed and destroyed with impunity in the Niger Delta, and have instigated court processes with a view to further impoverishing the people of the Niger Delta must not beallowed to gain votes in the Niger Delta, their party affiliations notwithstanding.
We are back from the Supreme Court with a so-called landmark judgment, which is so capacious in volume and deep in wisdom that our political leaders, our Governors, Houses of Assembly and National Assembly members require a second term to understand and perhaps a third term to be able to articulate a response. Their Excellencies are yet to react, perhaps waiting till the Federal Government begins to decide where our fishermen should fish and where they should not.
But there is no reason to despair.
There is every reason, however, to seize back the initiative from the monochrome, unimaginative and weak-willed politicians and redirect the struggle for resource control and self-determination as a people centered initiative full of drive, passion and will.
This will by no means be an easy task. It will be demanding and require courage and imagination. We should always be steeled by the firm belief that no amount of force can hold down a free spirit.
We must rebuild our various peoples’ organizations and where the level of infiltration and adulteration is beyond safe levels we must recreate. We should, we would come out harder, bolder, firmer, stronger and more spirited. We should re-launch the struggle for self- determination and resource control. That is the lesson we must draw from the Supreme Court decision. We must return to the creeks where the struggle belongs.

DIMIEARI VON KEMEDI
Director

 

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IJAW YOUTH COUNCIL (IYC)
1 Aggrey Road, Port Harcourt, Niger Delta, Nigeria

Tuesday, 12 June 2001

PRESS STATEMEMT

THE CRISIS OF GOVERNANCE IN BAYELSA

The Ijaw Youth Council (IYC) condemns the legislative and executive arms of the Bayelsa state government for their actions and activities, which have resulted in a crisis of governance in Bayelsa State. In its national parliamentary session in Adagbabiri, Bayelsa State on Sunday, June 10, 2001, the IYC concluded that the current crisis in the Bayelsa State House of Assembly over impeachment and counter impeachment, and the resultant thuggery and insecurity in the State capital is an expression of the greed, visionlessness and irresponsibility of the Assembly and the executive arm of the Bayelsa State government. The IYC noted that:

1. The Bayelsa State House of Assembly has failed woefully in not pushing and passing   legislation to support the quest and aspiration of the people for resource control, self- determination and environmental justice.

2. The Assembly members and the executive arm of the Bayelsa State government have been busy in a project of self-enrichment and self-aggrandisement to the detriment of the mass of the peoples of Bayelsa State. They have done nothing worthwhile to promote a better life for the impoverished and long suffering peoples of Bayelsa State.

3. The Assembly and the executive arm of the Bayelsa State government are holding the people of Bayelsa State to ransom as they war over their individual interests and projects.

The IYC is calling on the Legislature and executive arm to respect the Bayelsa people by maintaining peace and ensuring justice for the mass of the Bayelsa People. In this regard, the IYC will be holding a rally/protest march in Yenagoa to compel all involved in the crisis to give account of their stewardship and clear the air on the allegations and counter allegations of fraud and gross mismanagement of public funds.

THE MILITARISATION OF BAYELSA STATE

The IYC condemns the worsening militarisation of Bayelsa State and blames the Bayelsa State government for working to protect the interest of oil companies and its friends against the mass of the people. This is demonstrated by the support of the government in the deployment of troops to Nembe, Brass, Yenagoa, Peremabiri etc. The IYC demands for a complete demilitarisation and restoration of community rights and protection of human dignity in Bayelsa State.

THE RIVERS STATE GOVERNMENT AND THE SABOTAGE OF THE PEOPLES’ WILL

The IYC condemns the partnership between the Government of Rivers State and the Obasanjo administration to stifle and sabotage the demand of the peoples of Rivers State and the other minority nationalities of the Niger Delta area for resource control and self- determination. The IYC notes that by consciously supporting the inadequate constitutional review and the farce of zonal consultation the Rivers State government is consciously sabotaging the will of the people for self determination and the call of our peoples for a Sovereign National Conference.

The IYC condemns the arrest, torture and trial of some people of Ijaw ethnic nationality and the subsequent charges of attempting to disrupt the fraudulent meeting called to review the 1999 Constitution in Port Harcourt, Rivers Sate. The IYC maintains that the citizens were arrested on the orders of the Government of Rivers State for maintaining on the floor of the flawed meeting that what the people want is a Sovereign National Conference to discuss the basis for the unity of Nigeria, justice for all groups and nationalities and a peoples constitution to ensure representative, responsible and responsive governance.

The IYC calls on the Rivers State government to drop the fake charges against its justice seeking citizens, Prince Namapele, Dudley Afiesimama, Gbarasi Brown, Primrose Oringuriya and Tamunotonye Tobi.

Isaac Osuoka
Spokesperson

 

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Dateline: 10/07/2001 01:47:37

Bayelsa: Unaswered Questions

About a month ago, the Bayelsa House of Assembly was bombed, after its speaker had been impeached. Since then, several papers have been flying around. They call to question the very root of the matter. Eddy Odivwri reports

There was a throw back to the Abacha days when bombs were exploding as regularly as balloons at Yuletide. That was in Yenagoa, the Bayelsa state capital. A bomb blast had exploded in the premises of the state House of Assembly resulting in the destruction of the Accounts section of the building and also rocked some nearby houses. It sounded bizzare. But it was real.

The bomb blast came after the Speaker of the House had been impeached. And that is after the Governor, Chief Diepreye Alamiesagha had allegedly been served the notice of impeachment for gross financial mismanagement. But that impeachment notice angle to the story was to become clearer a few days later when the new leadership of the House issued a statement denying that the House ever discussed any such notice or even served it on the man they jocularly call "Governor-general". Indeed, the House of Assembly had compiled a very long list of some mind-bogging expenses said to have been incured by the executive arm of government in the name, of feasibility studies for all kinds of projects under the sun.

But again, no sooner had the mediabegun to celebrate the Alamieyeseigha "misdeeds" that the house again rose to clear its name. According to the communique from the House, under its new leadership, the House never compiled any such list. The new Speaker who spoke to journalists in Yenagoa alluded that the said list of misdeeds was a figment of the imagination of the former Speaker, Heineken October Lokpobiri. It was his own way of getting back at the governor who he believed had instigated and funded his removal as Speaker as well as his eventual expulsion from the ruling Peoples Democratic Party(PDP). But, even at that, the executive arm also had a case against the legislature - under the Lokpobiri leadeship, that is. It was a case of fraudulent tendency.

Some three persons: Malam Sasime, Jonathan Kubor both traditional rulers, and a lawyer, Dan Kemgbe had gone to court to stop the release of funds to the Bayelsa House of Assembly. Part of the affidavit they swore to averred that "between 1999 and now, the 2nd and 3rd defendant have received over N2billion of allocation for capital expenditure." Before then, the House had passed its "Self Accounting Law", which is interpreted to mean that the house will account only to itself. That way, it was argued by the executive, the house will be under no cheque beside itself. Such a lattitude afforded the legislators the opportunity of building its own Administrativ block. Perhaps the worry is not just that the house executed their own projects, but the concern is the price margin always declared for such jobs.

For instance, it caused some concern that the legislators decided to build for themselves some recreation facilities at the cost of N99.2 million. It was also said they spent N26 million in the "finishing" of Boys’ quarters. The legislators also awarded themselves some N26.2 million as bonus and constituency allowance, per member . Details of the said acts of the assembly were given wide circulation as a way of invoking public hatred at the legislators. This act was said to have infuriated the legislators (especially those loyal to Lokpobiri) who on their part, dusted the governor’s financial dossier in their posession and set the engine of discord buzzing.

The politics of how Lokpobiri had moved against Alamieyeseigha and failed and how the governor’s alleged counter-attack had booted the young Speaker out of his coveted seat has since become history. But time has not wiped off the case against the governor, the enormity of the allegations, as well as the large figures involved.

Of course it had unsettled even the governor enough for him to set up a panel to look into the authenticity of the vouchers, receipts and cheques - some of which have already been published in the press. His plan was to address a press conference on the issue as soon as the report of the panel was turned in. But many still insist that Alamiesegha has a case to answer.

For instance, they say a total of eleven feasibility contracts involving huge amounts were awarded to some companies traceable to a particular source. The papers showed that in five months (August to December last year), Alamiesegha awarded contracts worth =N=1.258 billion for just feasibility studies.

In all, the companies to which the contracts were awarded have a similarity of having the same kind of computer- prepared letter-headed papers. More than that, all of them, except two, have foreign addresses. But more curious is the fact that all the cheques for the various contracts were collected by the same person- Kenem Roberts. That alone means that all the projects were handled or done by the same person or groups of persons.

And that is one of those things Alamieyeseigha has asked the panel to authenticate.

On July 20, 2000, the governor approved the sum of N68million paid through Standard Trust Bank for "a Feasibility Report on the Ultra Modern Radio Communication Network". The approving voucher had a top executive’s comment "OT, Please process" The job was given to Vinny Investment Limited with a Washington address.

Eight days later,, July 28, another N65 million was approved by the governor to Multiweb Ltd again with Cambridge Health Road, in London for the purpose of presenting "a study report on the Establishment of Bayelsa Refinery". Again the approving authority commented: "please deal under G.H (Government House) misc. vote."

Alamieyeseigha would not be dragged into the discussion but his aides agree that many of the said contracts were actually given, however, they say the rates are far lower than what the circulating papers claim.

Three transactions were done with the cartel in the month of September, where-in Multi Web Ltd with a U.K address was awarded N80 million contact to submit "proposal for the Establishment of a multi-purpose Oil Mill (Soya beans,Ground-nut and Palm Kernel) for Bayelsa State Government.

The comment on the payment voucher underscored the urgency of the business as it instructed the officer-in-charge to "raise P.V (Payment Voucher) today. The governor approved on September 5.

Five days later, the sum of N72 million was approved to Lee Ventures with US and Lagos addresses to prepare feasibility report on the automation and computerisation of all government departments in Bayelsa State.

Another N95 million was again approved on September 20 to Tee Network to submit five sets of feasibility reports and drawings for a sea port. The payment voucher carried a comment "please process immediately."

The following month, October the government did business with the cartel just once. It was on October 10, when the sum of N75million was awarded for a _feasibility study on Municipal solid waste Incinerating plant in Yenegoa." The money was paid through All state_s bank cheque.

As in many of the cases in the scandal, it is curious that the feasibility work on the said projects are so expensively priced causing many to ask that if a feasibility study will cost as much as N75 million, how much is the Incinerating plant itself?

That question may need to be answered by Britts Investment Ltd which undertook the said study .The company had actually quoted N114.2 million for the said job. It claimed that it has an office in the United States of America.

Two business deals also marked the relationship between the cartel and the governemt in the month of November. The sum of N90 million was first approved to the same Britts Investment Ltd for the purpose of submitting two copies of yet another feasibility report on Yenegoa air strip. The payment documents bore an approval date of a Saturday meaning that the deal was closed on a week-end. And for effect, it had the comment "Please raise P.V today, Saturday 18/11/2000." Six days later, November 14, one Jowiz Nigeria Ltd was again commissioned to prepare ten sets of technical drawings, five sets of architectural drawings, and six complete sets of Feasibiulity report, at the cost of N100 million. With a "please process immedaitely "instruction, the documents sped through the usually bureucratic system in a matter of days culminating in Kanem Roberts picking up the Standard Trust bank cheque no 644194 for the said sum, less the normal deductions and charges.

In the closing month of December, three deals were closed. The first being on December 7 where-in the sum of N350 million was approved for the "general mobilisation of B&B Construction (Equipment and Personnel)" Not more was stated. The accompanying instruction is "please procees on behalf of S.P as H.E wants this sure for them to collect the cheque on Monday 11/12."

By December 17, five days after the last award, ADM Investment Ltd with an office address in Brazil and Nigeria, collected the sum of N145 milliion to prepare and submit ten volumes of the feasibility report comprising two sections; ten volumes of technical analysisand ten volumes of cash flow analysis and income flow to the government" The sum was paid through All state’s Trust Bank cheque.

Another N145 million was released on the 17th of December 2000, to B-Union Partners to prepare and submit six volumes of Binded (sic) set of feasibility report on the establishment of a cement factory in Yenegoa. It also submitted "a detailed technical drawings of eleven copies each of the proposed factor." The payment which was made through Standard Trust Bank was also collected by the Kanem Roberts.

A breakdown of the transactions shows that for the five months, a total of eleven feasibility jobs were commissioned at a total cost of N1,285 billion with the month of December netting the highest sum of N640 million.

But then the suspicion in all these is that the documents are believed to be coming from Lokpobiri who could be out to get back at his enemy - real or perceived - Alamieyeseigha.

That is why everyone is waiting for the outcome of the panel. However, some questions still stick out: Eleven feasibility projects are traceable to the ubiquitous Kanem Roberts; so who is Kanem Roberts? Is he real? or is he fronting for certain persons? Or better still, is he so efficient as to be the only one whose nine companies will win eleven big jobs in just five months? Questions and questions. An answer is imperative.

MY POSITION ON THE PROPOSED N15 BILLION LOAN SOUGHT FOR THROUGH THE BAYELSA STATE HOUSE OF ASSEMBLY BY THE GOVERNOR OF THE STATE -CHIEF .D.S.P (ALAMIEYESEIGHA). "LAST LOOT".

Dear Bayelsans,

THE LAST LOOT BY THE GOVERNOR, CHIEF D.S.P. ALAMIEYESEIGHA

I humbly crave the indulgence to call on the attentions of all good people of BAYELSA STATE. I would not suffer to recount the travails our people went through before this State was created for us (BAYELSANS) 1996, precisely, people went through Rain and Sun to have made it possible.

We terribly suffered during the Military Governments. It’s inception Saw through Epileptic Governance. The first Military Govt. Navy Capt. AYENI rule was cut short on a natural cause (illness). Navy Capt. Olubolade took over from his predecessor and practically provided some good governance by putting up structures, yet, at that time, the Indigenes of the state were not satisfied. But that was when all the income accruing into the sate from the federation account barely stood at N100m.+.

The Indigenes clamoured for a change of leadership to the extent that the "EGBESU" Boys were given the Governor a show down because their leader then, T. K Ogoriba who was clapped into detention by the Governor for writing out how the Governor was mismanaging the state fund. The "Egbesu" Boys armed, went to the Government House overpowered the security and forcefully released their leader. This showed the crass annoyance at a Governor by her ruled on account of improper financial engineering by the ruler. It also exhibited how painful our monies were carted away by the Governor instead of investing the monies accruing into the state for her development.

Lt. Col. Edo OBI took over from Navy Capt. Olubolade after the latter’s traumatic experience during the POPULAR "EGBESU RAID". The Reign of this infantry officer saw almost complete still-administration. No actual development. It was a servicing Era for the Civil Servant. He was docile at development. Insensitive to development but very susceptible to dialogues and prominently. On his Agenda was his high regard for Traditional Rulers.

The BAYELSANS clamoured for his own Son of the Soil Rulership Slogan which went far. Came the Democratic Rule in 1999 may 29th. The present Governor emerged the winner during the election. His profile was doubted at so many quarters as was taunted by his adversaries ab initio, the slow pace with which the Governor took off is administration casted a lot of doubts in his ability to have a competent Governance. But the admirers excuses were that he was understudying the Act of Governance. This took us to almost four months. When he emerged or unfolded his style of Administration, there was this seeming lack of focus; appointments were lopsided, no proper account was given in respect of what was handed over to him by his predecessor (Lt. Col. Edo Obi) in the state treasury. This latter aspect gave BAYELSANS like me serious food for thought as to how our state could be safety delivered financially and administratively.

No sooner than the state Government under the Governor took off, Good BAYELSAN like Chief Ebitimi Banigo Chairman of ALLSTATES TRUST BANK, a benevolent Son of the Soil voluntarily and lavishly loan the Government a juicy N2 Billion as to assist the state as regards providing shelter for BAYELSANS. As time went on, no foundation was found anywhere rather, the first Agenda the Governor accomplished was the starting and completion of his personal building in this Home Town (AMASSOMA). It was an ominous signal that we may experience a bleak administration. There was a sharp reaction against the Governance by some foresighted BAYELSANS as early as that time. Before the administration counted its months into years, a whooping sum of N800 Million loan has been secured from Devcon Merchant Bank was given to the state through the assistance of his Amassoma Cousin (Mr. Solomon Apreala) who was the Cooperative Affairs Manager in the Bank, now a special adviser to the Governor on finance and other assistance he gave him through the STANDARD TRUST BANK before his appointment as adviser. i.e. feasibility cheques were also went through that bank under the auspices of Mr. Solomon Apreala who was in the Bank as at then.

Meanwhile, loans have been taken by the Government even from Overseas without due process of loan procedures and such loan interests have been serviced and loan paid up without showing any commensurate project completed for the loan., But these loans are only a tip on the ice-berg. At this point in time, the Federal allocation are increasingly flowing into the state; monthly allocation risen, derivation has been included, stabilization, VAT, Ecological funds, excess crude oil sales distribution, additional loans from other Banks both known and unknown Banks, donations from oil companies operating in the state e.g. Shell Dev. Company, Agip, Texaco etc. All these are sources of revenue to BAYELSA. No satisfactory explanations have been given at any time by the Governor on the above as to how much on each of the items categorized has earned into the state Treasury. To cut the story short, in February alone, Shell gave N250 Million to the state, it was handed over to the state Government in the Shell Liaison Office at Yenegoha. The ugly implication is that upon all the monies that are coming into the state from these various sources, no commensurate projects could be measured for the huge income accrued so far.

CONFRONTATION: The period of simmering grudge was over and BAYELSANS started to voice their grievances aloud and without reservations. Until last year, in early June, due to irreconcilable differences that existed between the leadership of the House of Assemble and the State Governor owing to monies that were unaccounted for, which led to the two arms of Government pointing accusing finger at each other. The Zenith of the Imbroglio was an Impeachment Notice served on the Governor early June 2001. This was publicized through the media. It dawned on every BAYELSAN that the State Treasury was being looted daily without any accountability from the Governor. Eyebrows were raised.

I would at this juncture, crave the Indulgence of my audience to reason with the concealment of some obvious facts, beyond this point, as the matter is currently subjudice. On the strength of the Impeachment Notice and with additional facts, I was able to take the state Governor Chief D.S,P. Alamieyesiegha to the Anti-Graft commission in Abuja. Suffices to say that, for the purpose of clarity before my audience or consumers, this was the height Zenith pick, of accusation and Counter  Accusation about the corrupt tendencies of the Governor Chief D.S.P Alamieyeseigha. Meanwhile, I assert that nobody in BAYELSA both in Government and outside except the Accountant  General of the state Mr. Steven Inamamu and the Governor alone could give an accurate account of the revenue so far accrued into the state. Even then, I make bold to mention some of the monies that have accrued to the state here below.

IN SUMMARY:
As was published on the 14/02/02002 Business Column phase I South/South Newspaper and also in Punch February 28/02/2002 phases 1&2.

ALLOCATION

Federation Account Allocation Recorded Short Fall.

Federation Account Revenue Allocation to State.

Under this heading the below are the revenue on monthly allocation June 1999 - 2001

BAYELSA STATE S/NO 6

1	JUNE-DEC 1999	N2,077,390,000.00
2	JAN-DEC    2000	N15,998,028,155.06
3	JAN-DEC    2001	N26,590,431,730.06
4	JAN 2002  EST.	N1,3000,000,000.00
	(Subtotal)	N 45,965,849,886.02
5	FEB 2002 EST.	N1,340,000,000.00
6	MAR 2002 EST.	N1,000,000,000.00
	( Add the Estimate)	N47,305,849,886.02

Derivation to Oil Producing States (BAYELSA) 60% of 13% for the year

Table 1  in Billions
 

JAN- FEB 2000	N 1.306
MARCH	N0.755
APRIL	N0.755
MAY	N.0755
JUNE	N1.389
JULY	N1.136
AUG	N1.136
SEPT	N1.136
OCT	N1.206
NOV	N1.206
DEC	N1.263
SUBTOTAL	N12.106

 

JAN 2002	N1.0
FEB	N0.990
MAR	N1.0
TOTAL	N15.096

Table II
Derivation Revenues 2001

JAN	N 2.089
FEB	N 2.082
MAR	N 2.082
APR	N 1.076
MAY	N 1.188
JUNE	N 1.246
JULY	N 1.135
AUG	N 1.1359
SEPT	N 1.449
OCT	N 1.358
NOV	N 1.600
DEC	N 1.210
TOTAL	N18.07
SUMMARY
ALLOCATION	N47,305,849,886.02
Dderivation	N15,096
Derivation	N18,070
TOTAL	N80,471,849,886.02

The above figure is only Revenue accrued to the state from two sources. Monthly Allocation and Derivation.
The other revenue items figures were not handy as at the time I went to press but the headings are as follows:

1999 March 2002
 

1	Excess Crude Oil Sales	?
2	Loans (Within and Foreign)	?
3	VAT	?
4	Stabilization/Residual	?
5	Ecological Funds	?
6	Donation from Oil Companys	?
7	NGO Grants (Overseas)	?
8	Internally State Generated Rev	?
9	TOTAL	?

One can see the tabulations above. The grand Total Revenue is well above the figure given on monthly allocation and the derivation because other figures are yet to be tabulated out. Where are the projects to show for the huge income?

On Wilberforce Island Fake Projects.

The state Governor Chief D.S.P Alamieyeseigha started a University for the state at the Island and called it his priority project and estimated a total budget of N14+ Billion and has physically spent N5.8 B on various projects on the Campus but I implore every BAYELSAN TO VISIT THE PLACE Wilberforce Island - DO NOT consider the Island as a BERMUDA  TRIANGLE where anybody who gets there would not return to tell his story. It is a journey worth taking to assess the ruin Chief D.S.P Alamieyeseigha has condemned the finances of the state. He has sentenced our state into PERDITION (ETERNAL RUIN) because we can’t recover from these dismal failures for the next fifty years. What a shame!

Comparison: I shall hold a press conference soon, in which I shall devout a page for your education policy as soon as I have the verdict of the Anti-Graft Commission. But suffices to make this comparison, KOGI State with a total income of N20 +Billion alone, from the inception of Audu, one can imagine the university The Governor has built for the state. A visit there will convince you if anybody is in doubt of this claim.

If Chief D.S.P Alamieyeseigha was able to build a proper university as KOGI Governor did with even greater % of our total revenue, I personally would not have bothered to have any quarrels with his administration. We can further compare his achievement with his friend’s (Colleague) in Abia State. How many Big Cities are in Abia State?. DR. Orji Uzor Kalu as far as I am concerned in the 36 states has performed relatively well compared with any other Governor. His Total Revenue from inception so far, is not more than N20 Billion yet he has been able to provide essential services as road projects, provision of water, electricity, building of cottage hospitals, even empowerment of his subject financially to enable them embark on trade etc. This is purely to minimize area boys as nuisances to the public in almost all the big cities within the state. Even to the point of establishing various Industries.

Chief D.S.P Alamieyeseigha bought a plot from Governor Orji Uzor Kalu with an unspecified amount i.e. I do not know the amount at Abuja. Awarded the contract to Chief Itsei of Auchi for N200M, to build his personal house, thereafter brought him to BAYELSA STATE awarded him contract to build a six block hostel for N900M and paid him up front N200M yet no job is done. He has even no office in Bayelsa State. This is one of the fake and spurious contracts the Governor awarded.

I am deliberately not dabbling into the details of some aspect of his administration, since the case is still before the Anti-Graft Commission in Abuja.

EXPENDITURES ON PROJECTS AGAINST THE VAROUS SUB-HEADING OF THE STATE REVENUES

I am compelled to complain or act as this because that is, having taken him to Anti-Graft Commission. I can’t see any satisfactory application of the revenue on projects except the very shabby projects even though some of them are in the name(s) of special priority project(s).

Monthly Allocation: So far the state has earned so much monies from the federation account on this item. Reference to the tabulation above. This supposed to take care of the primary duties of the state Government, salaries, over-heads, security vote and other contingency expenses. The figure is one on the average a monthly juicy allocation of N 1 Billion +.

How much then is the salaries and other expenses attendant to this revenue item?. That salaries and other expenses can’t be met with it conveniently. This of course is the basic function of the government and in the face of such huge revenue accruing to the state and there is this apparent lack of meeting up her services, therefore, the Government has failed her ruled. This is what we are experiencing in BAYELSA STATE. The good people of BAYELSA STATE take note of this primary anomaly or atrocities committed by the Government.

DERIVATION:Before the Oil Producing States were able to settle for the payment of these revenues with the Federal Government, I need not suffer the readers with its details. In summary, after being said and done. The Federal Government considered the derivation revenue, fixed for 13%. This was to cushion the Oil Producing States as to provide additional essential utility serves to Oil Producing Communities. Because before this line of action was drawn and concluded, Oil Producing Communities were given a hell of problems between the Oil Companies operating in the various communities. It is purely to curtail the tensions that have always associated with hose communities and the oil companies and this serious adversely affect the revenue to the Federal Government.

The Governors from the oil producing states most conspicuously our Governor Chief D.S.P Alamieyeseigha was at the neck of the Federal Government as to the possible implementation of the 13% because he has always claimed his inadequacies or non-performances for lack of adequate funds from the Federal Government. He appeared to even championing the cause for self-determination of our wealth (resource control).

In the final score, the Federal Government gave his nod and the estimated revenue accrued into the state so far on the derivation is put at N32.166 Billion. But to our utmost dismay and surprise, there is not single project to show for this huge amount of income. What a shame! No derivation committee set-up for the management of such funds. The revenue from derivation is muddled up with other revenues unspecified. No probity and accountability in Governance of Chief D.S.P Alamieyeseigha.

I used this medium to draw the attention of Chief D.S.P Alamieyeseigha to desist from parading himself as an apostle of resource control except he explains what he had done specifically with the derivation funds to BAYELSANS. Enough is enough.

LOANS: The state Government has taken a lot of loans. Some of which are not known by anybody except the Accountant-General of the sate and the Governor. A lot of loans were taken even secretly. But there is nothing surreptitious about the Government activities anywhere. The Government of recent, counted a N4 Billion outstanding loans and refused to account for the previous loans taken, how much interest paid, and all intention to conceal the actual management of the state finances. What has he done with the loans so far, and that he should give satisfactory explanation on the loans to the state.

The so-called shelter loan of N2 Billion, where are the houses built in commensurate with the loan?. Contractors are yet to be paid up, contracts yet to be completed, loan interest serviced where is the way forward in BAYELSA?. In fact, the management of the finances of the state cannot be compared with that of any state both previously and presently. Even the second Republic Governor of Kano State, Alhaji Bakinzuo’s Government could give a credible Governance to his people in respect of the finances accrued to the state. Ours is a total muddle up. His was a more coute and elegant than ours. This is the worst Government in this country. He should give satisfactory explanations for the loans taken so far.

VAT: These are revenue accruing in to the state as taxes paid to the Federal Government from the sales of certain imported goods e.g. spirits and some other essential goods imported into the country. The Federal Government in turn, distributes such funds to the States as well.

Although, this revenue may be ploughed back into the productive sector of the Economy and to provide services for the people because, this is like bonus revenue distributed to the state. In BAYELSA STATE, The Economy has not been contemplated upon by the Governor as to the creation of the various sectors in the economy. The D.S.P Alamieyeseigha is acting as a soldier at war, marching towards the WAR FRONT in which case, no one can trace any locus of movements. The economy is zigzagly operated for now.

STABILISATION: These are mere names under which the state receives its revenue. It?s too big a word for its application. Therefore, it is muddled up with the rest. No accountability.

ECOLOGICAL FUNDS: The state is increasingly experiencing an environmental degradation as a result of oil explorations and exploitations. Our Natural environment is daily eroded and this fund is to augment for the Ecological Damages on our Environment. No project at all. Nothing to write home about.

DONATIONS FROM THE OIL COMPANIES.

Be that as it may, even though we always accuse the oil companies for not providing services for their Host communities compared with the huge Oil revenues accrued to the operating Oil Companies in their various areas. We cannot totally ignore the little or pittance services they are providing. Through this, most of the oil companies by their policies would want to assist the state by providing services for the state and the Host Communities. It is on the latter reasons that certain services have been provided for the state. There is something fishy, no body in the state has seen any projects embarked upon from the revenues accruing into the state from the oil companies as donations.

We can only hear or know by dint of our personal connections through investigation owing to our curiosity. Donation here and there yet the State Government cannot show any projects embarked upon from the revenue accruing from the oil companies donations. My advice to the oil companies is that, they should deliberately publish such donations if not it is assumed that, the oil companies are not doing "Any thing enough". Not to talk of providing enough services. I may use this opportunity to know from the state Government and the Oil Companies as to why the issues of the Oil Companies moving their Headquarters or administrative offices have died down completely or at least diminished hitherto.

There is more than what the eye can see. We gave the Military Government a hell of trouble on this matter and this issue was always raised with the Oil Companies but six months after the inception of Chief D.S.P Alamieyeseigha Democratic era, nobody talks about the issue any more from our Government. It was last heard when Shell Dev. Company, the coordinating body amongst the Oil Companies, negotiating to acquire land at the Wilberforce Island and after some deadlock in the negotiating, nobody heard it again.

How am I sure MONEY has not played a BAD ROLE in the interim because the Governor, Chief D.S.P Alamieyeseigha is allergic to money. He wants to control all monies accruing into the state without proper accountability and probity. The answers from the Oil Companies only can give a satisfactory explanation. I shall elaborate on in when I shall hold the press conference. I have the facts. I would not like to preempt the issue. Some highly placed public servants have become a cog in the wheel of the desire by the oil companies to acquire land for that purpose. Let them restraint their actions as to enable the companies to establish their presence in the state for God’s sake.

NGO’S AND INTERNALLY GENERATED REVENUES
NGO’s from overseas are trying their best for us to feel their impart here from the office of the ministry of environment for states in Abuja. Nothing at all to show for it.

The revenue from the internally generated revenue is considered in BAYELSA as monies for the Boys. It is never mentioned anywhere. It’s always looked upon as mere pea-nuts that is the more reason the State Government can’t improve on it. No dedication on that revenue. I have finally come to the main issure of attractions. "THE N15 BILLION LOAN."  The last loot of Chief D.S.P Alamieyeseigha.

HOUSE OF ASSEMBLY
It was a dismal disappointment to a vast majority of BAYELSANS to read, see the comments made by the RT. Hon. Peremobowei Ebebi. The speaker of the B/State House of Assembly and the commissioner for finance respectively. The latter statement is understandable because he is ignorant on most of the financial dealings of the Government. But the speaker’s comments are most unacceptable.

According to the speaker "The state cannot be allowed to be grounded because of lack of funds where salaries can no longer be paid, Over Heads can?t be paid, therefore, the Union Bank has already been negotiated with by the Government to buy over all our loans of N4 B billion as to enable the bank grant the N15 Billion loan to re-generate or reinvigorate the state Government activities."

May I begin by asking the speaker what was his response to the Governor when the D.S.P Alamieyeseigha posed or turned that Billion on him. For the speaker to have merely accepted the Bill and introduced to the house shows that, the speaker is ignorant, incept at the management of the finances of the state, He is mentally porous, unintelligent and also lacks focus as his master.

How best the speaker would have addressed the issue in the House was to ask the Governor to give a proper account of the past revenues, how they were spent. In fact, the revenue and its expenditure would have been tabulated and if the activities of the Government were so impressive then, the bill would have been necessary or considered for a debate.

But from the look of things and from the point of the leadership of the house, the request for empowerment from the House by Chief D.S.P Alamieyeseigha is a mere desire to get additional monies to steal, Most probably because, The "STOLLEN- TREASURY" of the Government Operatives have lost weight.

Also his submission that the sate is grounded is an admission enough to sack D.S.P Alamieyeseigha?s led government. It has apparently fallen and the failure of the Governor to give satisfactory explanation of our past income and expenditure gives us the clear intent of looting by the Governor. Because with the overall operation or performances of the Governor with the huge income accrued to the state, no sane, or rational being would contemplate to even request for a loan. This is an act of Brazen Pen-Robbery, which is most criminal. It is also a complete act of defalcation by the Governor. Then at best what one expect from speaker or the House of Assembly was to PASS VOTE of No Confidence on the Governor if he insists as he is bent on the loan and if the House as well lends its credence on the Governor’s desire to obtain the loan. Then the Government has failed us hitherto. Therefore the legislative Arm and the Executive Arm of the Government had better resign simultaneously. The legislative house has failed to perform its constitutional duty as a check to the Executive activities. We have therefore no confidence in the Government.

ON THE COMMISIONER FOR FINACE.

As I mentioned earlier, except the Accountant General of the state and the Gov. Chief D.S.P Alamieyeseigha, No body knows the actual revenue, that have accrued to the sate. If he knows, he would not have concealed the total revenue that came into state in the month of February, when he mentioned that. For example, In February 2002, the state’s revenue was only N1.3 Billion, how could that in the face of huge Government activities, take care of road projects. In the first place, our revenue for February 2002 was not only N1.3B. This is an apparent concealment of fact by a highly placed strategic public servant and this is tantamount to a criminal action. I, therefore, pray that the commissioner for finance should also resign.

The correct revenues for February 2002 are as follows:
 
1. Monthly Allocation N1.346
2. Derivation N0.990
3. Stabilization Fund
4. VAT

Estimated Amount N2.88

EXCESS CRUDE OIL SALES:
Over N40Billion was distributed through the 36 states this would also earn us a reasonable sum of money. This figure is not known yet as it was not published or distributed to the states at the time of my going the press. As a matter or seriousness, if only the above huge revenue accrued in to any state and if such state can’t perform its primary duties as the payment salaries, over heads, security vote etc. it’s enough reasonable ground for any Government to resign as it is with Chief D.S.P Alamieyesiegha Government. He has pushed us to a tight corner. There is no hope for the common man. In view of the above the commissioner should reign. With the implication above the House should dissolve itself. I advise and also hint the leadership of the house, if the obnoxious bill is passed, I shall not hesitate to take the principal officers to the Anti-Graft Commission if nobody would do it. The type of loan is even without, good intentions for the state. Chief D.S.P Alamieyeseigha wants empowerment (Legal) from the house, go to the stock Exchange Market, Obtain a Bond-Certificate and he would actually travel abroad to obtain the loan and the repayment will be scheduled to the state’s source of income federation account and the repayment would be deducted spread through the number of years given for the loans repayment. And the loan if given will not be brought to the state even if obtained by the Government. That is exactly what the Governor wants to do with the legal empowerment he is seeking from the Assembly, this act will send the state to PERDITION and I pray all good people of BAYELSA to oppose and resist the request.

In summary Chief D.S.P Alamieyeseigha reign has brought more hardship to the people of the state than good.

The purpose of the loans as canvassed by the Government is as well doubtful and sounds unreasonable. With the large revenues so far accrued into the state, Chief D.S.P Alamieyeseigha has not completed any road project even the construction of the straight road from MBIAMA to HIS RESIDENCE CREEK  HAVEN Yenagoa, is yet to be completed for his 3 years rule, that is without a difficult terrain as they always put up as defense for their ill-performances at Government activities. Can N15B alone be enough to be used for the opening up of roads into all parts of the state?. Chief D.S.P Alamieyeseigha has not told us his intention along side with the speaker of the House Assembly, for the purpose for which they want this loan. But when these public operatives like the Governor and the speakers would timely, effectively and perfectly put up their personal building in the same terrain, it is without complain, but once it is Government project to be executed, the issue of terrain is dragged into a defense of their criticisms.That is criminal as well.

How many personal projects have the highly placed public servants have not completed as a result of our bad terrain, all their personal projects are completed on schedule. No body should give any flimsy excuses on his/her inability to perform as a result of Difficult-Terrain. It is only a diversionary tactics of concealing his/her inadequacies. It is an excuse that holds not water.

In summation, to conclude, and in view of the above account given, should the loan Bill be passed and for the Governor’s fakery attempting to seek for re-election is described as an abuse of privilege given to him by the whole state, He has no shame, he is Ruthless, Brutal, Callous, Hypocritical, greedy, avaricious, insulting and with all vices that have names.

I rest my case so far.

CHIEF FIT GBASSA
Agudama Ekpetiama

Yenagoa Local Government Area.
BAYELSA STATE