A socio-political group, Bayelsa New Face Initiative (BNFI), has described the group of charlatans calling for the resignation of Governor Douye Diri over transparency issue as agents of distraction.
The Niger Delta Coalition for Transparency and Accountable Governance believed to be formed by one Agrisaba-born John Idumange, does not exist in reality but in the bedroom of Idumange in Port Harcourt, Rivers State.
Idumange, who has fallen out of favour for his penchant to spread falsehood and fake news against the Prosperity Government, is a confused self imposed activists with penchant for doing the bidding of the highest bidder.
The BNFI also tackled the sponsors and those involved in the call on the state governor, Senator Douye Diri to tender an apology and resign over the allegations of placing the state on the 6th index table on transparency and budget compliance.
According to the BNFI, despite the fact that preliminary checks showed that the unsubstantiated claims concocted and created in the minds of Dr. John Idumange, showed signs of ignorance to governance, disrespect to the people of Bayelsa by bunch of “uncultured charlatans”
The State Coordinator of the BNFI, Comrade Charles Ikio, in a statement issued via electronic mail, argued that despite the fact that it is unnecessary to respond to issues raised by the Dr. John Idumange and his sponsors, it is necessary to put the record straight in order to enlighten more of those similar charlatans that may want to toe the line of deceit and distractions.
According to Ikio, Bayelsa state is one of the states involved in transparent display of finances under the transparency law initiated under the last administration and sustained by the present administration of Governor Douye Diri, “A state that has continued to engage the media and the public in the transparency, accountability and good governance”.
“Under the present administration, the people of the state are happy to state unequivocally that the financial standing and sustainability of Bayelsa state are sound and not in any jeopardy as the government can comfortably meet its obligations, including regular payment of salaries and pensions.”
“Instead of these recalcitrant individuals and their sponsors to check for facts and records, they have again showed their ignorance in the desperate bid to satisfy the whims and caprices of their sponsors.
He pointed out that instead of sponsored insults, the phantom group and their sponsors should commend the present administration for ensuring that the high debt profile the Governor Douye Diri inherited is being settled, “a state with a low debt profile that was effectively managing its financial liabilities would be ranked low against states with a higher debt profile, more so when Bayelsa was clearing its debts”.
“The Governor Diri administration has continued to invest in human capital development and empowerment programmes, without neglecting critical financially demanding infrastructure projects such as the Yenagoa-Oporoma Road and Bridges, the Sagbama-Ekeremor Road with seven bridges and the Nembe-Brass Road with 10 bridges amongst other projects across the state that will stir its economic life”.
On the alleged non-disclosure charge leveled against Gov. Diri, the so-called coalition led by one Ebiowei Agorowei or is it John Idumange should be aware that Governor Douye is one of the few governors that consult the people before compiling the state budget proposals.”
“Governor Diri 2023 budget proposal submitted to the State House of Assembly recently was compiled after an interactive session with stakeholders in September, 2022 and it took into consideration the needs of the people of the state”
“And also lay bare the financial position of the state. The people asked questions and they were well informed unlike the sponsored ones that only vomit balderdash on the social media.
“Instead, the BNFI will on behalf of these “uncultured and ignorant” lot, tender an unreserved apology to the State Governor, Senator Douye Diri for these unnecessary distractions and allowing everyone to express their opinions on issue of governance in the state despite some unwarranted, ignorant and targeted attacks.”
