Former senate president backs Ortom on fight against corruption

Ortom

Former Senate President, Senator Ameh Ebute, today joined the ranks of major stakeholders across the state who have urged Governor Samuel Ortom to sustain the fight against corruption in the state and also ensure that looted funds are recovered.

Senator Ebute spoke at the Okpokwu Hall in Okpoga where the Governor held a township meeting with prominent sons and daughters from Ado, Okpokwu and Ogbadibo local government areas.

“We support your fight against corruption in the state and efforts to recover the funds looted by officials of the previous administration,” he stated.

“We knew they were looting but there was nothing we could do. Thank God that you have come to fight for us. Please ensure that the funds are recovered.”

The former Senate President also commended Governor Ortom for being accessible to the people and for initiating the Town hall meetings which he described as the first of its kind in the state.

Other speakers at the occasion included Jacob Ogwuche, Professor Jerry Agada, Chris Abah, Mr Bernard Ochepa, Dr Moses Obande, Frank Adejo Audu, John Abutu, David Idoko, Ladi Onazi, Bishop Daniel Agbese and Ada Ogbadibo, Prince Agbo Enenche.

They also appreciated the town hall meetings and development efforts inspite of the hard times but raised concerns about insecurity, unemployment, delayed payment of salaries and pensions, internally generated revenue, deforestation, as well as critical infrastructure.

Governor Ortom promised to address the issues raised especially when the economy of the state improved.

He maintained that if the N107 billion loot was recovered, it would be used for the payment of all outstanding arrears of salaries and pensions which he said amounted to about N40 billion while the balance would be used to develop the state.

The Governor announced that the State Executive Council would soon approve the award of contract for the electrification of Ichama in Okpokwu local government area as provision had been made for the project in the 2016 budget.