Delta govt runs a blank budget, Ojougboh alleges

FORMER National vice-chairman, south-south of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Dr Cairo  Ojougboh, has alleged that the present Delta state government has no 2017 Budget appropriated by the State assembly.

In an open letter addressed to President Muhammadu Buhari, dated October 4, 2017, copy of which was read to newsmen on Wednesday in Abuja, the former PDP chieftain who has since defected to the ruling All Progressives Congress, (APC) claimed that ten lawmakers from the State told him in confidence that none of in the State assembly was in possession, or sighted 2017 budget and appropriation.

Dr Ojougboh, who incidentally is from Delta State further claimed that the oil producing state was running a blank budget and challenged the Delta state government or any of the state lawmakers who has the budget details to make it available within 24 hours.

“The Chairman of the Appropriation Committee of the Delta State House of Assembly and the entire members have not sighted the budget break down and estimates as the conventional practice, the actions of the Speaker with the active connivance of the Government amounts to issuance of a blank 2017 budget and appropriation for Delta State.”

“Mr President, I dare any member of the Delta State House of Assembly to produce a copy of the approved budget estimate signed by the Chairman Appropriation Committee, the Clerk and the Speaker, let any member display same on any website.”

The APC chieftain urged President Buhari to direct the anti-corruption agency, the Economic Financial Crimes Commission, (EFCC) to investigate his petition, as he noted that the ruling party could gain political dividend from it in the forthcoming general elections, if the PDP led government in Delta was probed.

“Mr President, I humbly on behalf of the good people of Delta State plead and solicit of you to passionately cause and direct the relevant Government Agencies to investigate the above allegation against the Delta State House of Assembly.

“I want to assure you, as the 2019 general election draws near, that over two (2) million votes are at stake in Delta State, your reward for addressing the fraud in Delta State shall be total unequivocal support for you and your Government and your great party, the APC.”