Press Statement – We have observed with great concern attempt by Government propagandists to exaggerate and even falsify reports from the Judicial Panel of Enquiry and to create the wrong impression that whatever policy enunciated by the Nyako Regime at whatever date had existed throughout the seven years he ruled the State. This is quite uncharitable and calls to question the credibility of those behind the false reports. For the avoidance of doubt, we would like to provide clarifications on three important issues that came up under discussion and the biased reporting of some of the Local Media Houses and even some reporters of National Papers on the matters concerned.
1.Money Paid to the ADC. This is totally false and mischievous. No money was deposited in the ADC’s account in the name of assistance to the police. And worst of all, the assistance to the Police in the State was an innovation which was started during Governor Nyako’s second tenure when the security challenges became more serious in the State and the North-East. The truth about the matter is that when both the State Government and the Nigeria Police Command in the State felt that there was a need to ensure that the Police are always mobile, a special account was opened and dedicated to the Maintenance and Fueling of Police Vehicles to which the 21 Local Governments were to contribute N6.5 Million monthly. The ADC ensured that the money is paid into the account on monthly basis. In view of the efficacy of the process in ensuring that the system helped greatly in combating crime in the State, the ADC deserves commendation not indictment for that. To raise the figure beyond the N6.5M and multiply same by 84 months or seven years is simply mischievous. To call it illegal is to negate our often touted slogan of security being everyone’s business. What is illegal in Local Government Leadership willingly sitting together and agreeing to support the process of securing their territories?
2.Contributions to the running costs of the three State owned Media Houses. This is not a new development in the State. It had existed during the former Regime of Governor Boni Haruna. It was resuscitated during the second tenure of Governor Nyako for the following reasons;
a.The State Government needed to provide capital intensive facilities such as Digital Transmitters, Digital Studios, Generating Sets, OB Vans, Printing Machines and construction of Office blocks. With such a heavy capital outlay it was decided that the Local Governments could contribute a little to the running cost of the Stations while the State Government takes care of the capital intensive contributions.
b.There is a need to revive the process of ensuring even coverage of the 21 Local Government Areas which invariably increases the running costs of the Media Houses. In the past when the issue of covering all the Local Governments was mentioned the Media Houses demand for payment from them. But the people of the State deserve knowledge of what goes on in all the Councils. Hence it was advised that each Local Government contributes N500, 000.00 totaling N10.5 monthly to ensure effective functioning of the three state owned Media Houses. This amount is shared to the three Media Houses for Diesel, Vehicles Maintenance, Fueling and consumables. The proposal was tabled before the Chairmen and they voluntarily agreed. There is nothing illegal or clandestine about it. It is within the realm of the publicity budgets of the LGAs.
3.The issue of Consultancy for the Local Government Housing scheme. The N130Million consultancy for Local Government Housing construction is not for each of the contracts but for all the 21 Local Governments which is over N1.071Billion. The figure is within the professionally allowed 10 to 15% margin. However, some of the propagandists even claim that the sum was paid as consultancy for each of the projects in each of the 21 Local Government Areas thus making it look like the consultancy fees are higher than the contract sums. This is totally false.
Ahmad Sajoh, mnipr
Director, Press and Publicity
Murtala Nyako Press Office
