The attention of the Bayelsa State Ministry of Finance has been drawn to a
publication on one of the National Newspapers that a Revenue Consultant
has taken all the 36 States and the Governors’ Forum to court with the
claim that it handled the Paris Club over-deductions from states accounts
as the primary consultant and alleged that fees from the Paris Club refund
are being paid to an unknown consultant.
In a statement signed by the commissioner for finance, Maxwell Ebibai in
Yenagoa, called on the good people of Bayelsa State and the general public
to by this statement be notified that the Government did not and has never
engaged the services of a Revenue Consultant in respect of the Paris- Club
over-deductions or refunds, neither has it paid any funds to any
consultant.
However it is pertinent to note that the previous Government had some
conflicting consultancy relationships in respect of other sundry revenue
matters on such terms that are out of tune with standard practices as
obtainable in sane climes.
The finance commissioner says that the Ministry of Justice is vigorously
defending the State’s position in the court of law as appropriate.
In line with the policy thrust of the Restoration Government to ensure
accountability, transparency and high ethical standards in the conduct of
Government business, the good people of Bayelsa State are assured that
this Government will do all within its powers and resources to ensure that
no unscrupulous consultant takes undue advantage of the Government.
He adds that the Government will seek every available option for redress
in the Court of Law to ensure that only those whose services represent
genuine value addition get paid in terms of reflective value for money and
commensurate with the value proposition delivered.
That the hard earned resources of Bayelsa will continue to be deployed in
the best interest of the developmental aspirations of the people of
Bayelsa State.
Ebibai therefore enjoins Bayelsans to discountenance the said publication
as the Restoration Government of His Excellency Henry Seriake Dickson
takes the social contract between Government and the people of Bayelsa
State with every sense of responsibility and will do all it can to uphold
and protect it.