Bayelsa to spend N8 bn out of N24.16bn Paris Club refunds on outstanding salaries, pensions

The Bayelsa government has that it would charnel N8 billion out of the N24 bn Paris Club debts refunds to offset two out of outstanding three months salary liability to its workforce.

Mr Daniel Iworiso-Markson, Commissioner for Information who announced the receipt of N24.16 billion from the Paris Club debt refund in a statement on Tuesday, put the debt stock of the state at N123 bn.

Iworiso-Markson was however silent on how the state intends to spend the remaining balance of the N24 bn after the N8 bn on salary and pensions.

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He said that Gov. Seriake Dickson had directed immediate payment of two out of the outstanding three months salary arrears to workers and four out seven months pension arrears in the state.

Iworiso-Markson denied the claim by Mr. Heineken Lokpobiri, Minister of State for Agriculture that Bayelsa owes N800 bn.

Checks on the website of Debt Management Office (DMO) indicate that Bayelsa is listed amongst the five most indebted states with N123.03 bn as at June 2018.

“It is disgraceful and unexpected of a person occupying his exalted position and clearly shows that Lokpobiri is out of tune with developments in his home state..

“It was queer and indeed sad that a Minister could quote wild debt figures with the intent to mislead the public and discredit the government.

“The Debt Management Office in its June 2018 report stated that the debt portfolio of the state was N123 billion. This figure includes contingent liabilities which included contract payments and pension obligations.

“While the government is making every effort to achieve massive developmental strides in every area, government wish to condemn the unguarded statements of some highly placed individuals.

“The recent unsubstantiated statement of the Minister of State for Agriculture that the State is owing N800 billion is disappointing of someone of his high office and indeed disgraceful.

“As a minster for agriculture, he needs to inform Bayelsans of the impact he has made even in his local government area.

“We advise Lokpobiri to educate himself or engage a brilliant young graduate to assist him.” Iworiso-Markson said.

Lokpobiri had alleged that the Dickson led administration had incurred the N800 billion domestic and $ 216 million external from 2012 till date in spite of getting over N1.2 trillion from the federation account for the same period.

Lokpobiri also noted that the figures at his disposal were a result of cumulative computation of yearly borrowings from the first tenure of the Dickson-led administration.

Iworiso-Markson explained that while the state government got N21.94 billion, the local government areas received N2.22 billion.

He said that the state government decided to make the Paris Club Debt public in consonance with the prevailing policy of transparency and accountability on public funds.