Reports say that some top Bayela State Government officials are diverting truckload of grains meant for each of the Wards in the state for private use.
The development has also ignited wrath of Governor Douye Diri to read the riot act to top civil servants attached with the responsibility.
Following a plethora of complaints that some individuals diverted items meant for each Ward in the state, the state governor has ordered for full investigation into how the trucks of rice were diverted .
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The governor who addressed members of the state executive Council during its meeting in Government House, Yenagoa Wednesday ordered for full investigation into the alleged diversion of the palliatives with a view to bringing to book culprits who diverted food items.
The state government had reportedly procured more food items in addition to the five trucks of rice allotted to each state by the Federal Government as part of the measures to cushion the effect of the removal of petrol subsidy on people of the state.
Unconfirmed sources disclosed that each ward was allocated at least 150 bags of rice apart from maize.
Governor Diri who condemned the reported diversion of the palliatives entrusted to them for distribution in the 105 Wards across the state, however, directed the Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Alabo Gideon Ekeuwei, Coordinator of the state Community Safety Corps, Brig.-Gen. Eric Angaye (rtd) and the Acting Chief of Staff, Government House, Dr. Peter Akpe, to work with relevant bodies to identify those culpable.
He urged politicians to be selfless in their conducts and not withhold what is meant for people at the grassroots.
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Said he, “Concerning the palliatives that I directed should be shared, I received reports that some greedy politicians converted some of them to their use.
“I have asked for an immediate investigation and anyone found wanting will face the wrath of the law, particularly those that are appointees. You were asked to share 150 bags of rice, you went with 80 or 100 bags to your people in the wards and villages. You cheat on your people.
“The SSG, Coordinator of the Community Safety Corps and the Chief of Staff should investigate through BYSEMA (Bayelsa State Emergency Management Agency) those who were in position to distribute the palliatives to stakeholders in the wards and local government areas.
“Confirm how many bags got to each ward and how they were distributed. Not only rice, we also distributed maize. I heard that some were sold.
“I want to have that report. Work through all the commissioners, members of the House of Assembly and leaders. All of those involved will be brought to book.
Meanwhile the transportation system especially in the state capital Yenagoa is still in its worst state as commuters go through serious stress to get vehicles to their destinations.
Especially most rush hours in the evenings as the restriction on movement of Keke is still in force.
The 103 vehicles bought to cushion the effects of eventual Keke ban which were however released as fuel subsidy palliatives are no where to be seen on the streets of Yenagoa.
Most evenings witnessed scramble for the few private cars used as taxis along the streets.
“Where are the recently launched goverment owned taxis to cushion effects of fuel subsidy.
“We can’t see any of them. Is the goverment serious in alleviating the sufferings of the people?
“We learnt that about N30 billion was kept to buy votes in the recent governoship elections.
“Even, not up to half of that money wouldn’t have been used to take proper care of the governed if this is really people-oriented administration.
“He’s now back for second tenure to continue suffering the people that voted him” decried an aggrieved trader along the streets of Yenagoa in an interview.
“The government should be told to provide more vehicles to ply the streets of Yenagoa , people are suffering “, he further stated.
