Loading ...From Msughshima Andrew, Makurdi
Benue State House of Assembly has denied granting fresh approval to the State governor Samuel Ortom to obtain another N40 billion loan.
Spokesperson of the house and Member representing Ukum State Constituency, Mr. Paul Biam told newsmen in Makurdi, that the approval was done five months ago, by the when the former speaker, Terkimbi Ikyange led house.
Biam was responding to stiff condemnation from the Benue public that the Titus Uba led Benue Assembly has granted Governor Samuel Ortom approval to take another N40 billion bond barley few months into office.
Mr Biam after a plenary said Governor Ortom only made reference to the said consent of the house as the state government is currently anticipating the bond.
“No, no, the house has not given fresh approval for another borrowing of 40 billion bond. But in clear terms, What happened is that the previous leadership headed by former speaker Terkimbi Ikyange in collaboration with members granted a request of the govenor. It is not a new development.
“The governor was only trying to review what happened. It is not that we are granting another permission. Yabouthe approval was given five months back. So he was only reviewing activities on how he wants to carry out and execute this in case the loan is given to government.
“And so it is not the leadership of Uba, it is the leadership of former speaker, Terkimbi Ikyange in collaboration with members of the Assembly,” Biam said.
Biam similarly applauded the Judgement of a Makurdi High Court setting aside the interim order restraining members of the Assembly from carrying out legislative activities at the Assembly Complex.
Recall that the high court had in July, 2018, stopped the two factions of the Benue Assembly from using the Assembly premises for legislative business.
The order was set aside by the Chief Judge of Benue, Justice Aondoaver Kaka’an last week.
Biam said the opening of the complex would enable the members carry out their official duties without hindrance.
