June 25, (THEWILL) – The commission of inquiry set up by Benue State Government to look into the sale or lease of Government assets, companies and markets was told that about 257 Government properties were sold out by the immediate past administation in the state with no documents indicating the validity of such transaction.
The Acting Director of Projects, Bureau of Service welfare, Mr Mike Shir Luga, who appeared before the commission in Makurdi could not give a satisfactory accounts of how the sales were carried out, the value of the such property and how much was realised from such sales and has no documents indicating that such transaction took place.
The commission also held that there was an injuction restraining the sale or lease of modern market Makurdi to any individual or company which was granted by the court.
Testifying, a legal practitioner from Salvation Attorney and Consultant, Dr Vanen Antor, told the commission that some times in 2021, Benue State Government had advertised for the sales, leased of 25 Government companies including Makurdi modern market.
According to him, following this development, he went to court and obtained judgement halting the sale or lease of Government property which was not challenged by anyone.
It was further reported that modern market Makurdi which was listed among the Government companies advertised for sale was already leased out to a private company and the person was carrying on development exercise in the burnt section of the market.
The Commission’s Chairman, Justice Appolos Paul Idi, therefore, adjourned the sitting to 4th of July, 2024 to enable the Acting Director of the Bureau of Service welfare to provide relevant documents regarding the sale or lease of those properties before it.
It will be recalled that, governor Hyacith Alia on 1st March, 2024 ingurated two panels tasked with investigating the sale and lease of Government properties including companies and markets owed by both state and local Governments as well as moribund companies from May 28, 2015bto May, 28, 2023.
In a swift reaction, Media Aide to former governor Samuel Ortom, Mr Terver Akase quotes Ortom as expressing his readiness to provide any information and clarifications needed by the Commissions.
In a statement, Akase said former governor Ortom directed his former appointees to equally make themselves available whenever called upon to provide clarifications.
