Benue State Governor, Rev. Fr. Hyacinth Alia, on Saturday explained that his administration decided to leave the accounts of the state frozen to avoid the continuous looting of the state treasury.
Alia stated this during his maiden meeting with media practitioners in the state held at new banquet hall of Government House, Makurdi.
The state government had in recent times said that some senior workers in the state were discovered to be drawing salary from three different places; state, local government and State Universal Basic Education Board.
Asked reason for the continuous closure of the state accounts, the Catholic priest- turned politician said he took the right decision to freeze the state accounts as hyenas and hawks were still hanging around.
He said, “Even as I speak to you, there are still hyenas and hawks waiting for anything to drop and they will take them out because landmines have been set, and I think we have done perfectly well.
“It is not yet time for the unfreezing to be done. I’m still looking at each of the parastatals, ministries and agencies and if you take a peep at what is there, you will be shocked and you will ask me to close the account until the end of the year.
“While the freeze is still on, any government parastatal that is in need should bring it to the appropriate place and it is treated.”
Speaking on the perceived strain relationship with his political godfather, Senator George Akume, the governor said he enjoyed cordial and harmonious relationship with the Secretary to Government of the Federation.
He described as ‘saboteurs’ those people going around to create false perception to brew crisis just to cash on it.
He disclosed plans to organise a grand reception for the SGF in the state.
He said, “Plans are in the work to welcome him back home as the highest rank officer in the North Central. We should celebrate him rather than make insinuations. I am accessible.
“I will create a day for anyone without official business to come and chat with me. The job demands that I have less sleep. People call me to demand for commissioner slot not for themselves but for friends and I tell them we have few positions and they should wait for next term. We are not out of the woods yet; I have a lot of domestic debts on my head that I need to clear.
Speaking on the composition of his cabinet, the governor said that he had fulfilled the constitutional provision.
