Bayelsa: Constituency project funds not meant for lawmakers — but the people

The Bayelsa state government has described as “very absurd” comments credited to Gabriel Ogbara, a member of the state house of assembly, that it (the government) is withholding funds meant for constituency projects.

Ogbara, who represents Ogbia constituency 3, reportedly accused the state government of refusing to release funds meant for projects in his constituency.

Reacting via a statement issued Wednesday, Daniel Iworiso-Markson, the state commissioner for information, said Ogbara’s comment is a “cheap blackmail” and “ploy to curry sympathy from his people ahead of the next general elections.”

Iworiso-Markson told the lawmaker that the state will only release the funds to competent contractors and that his duty is to supervise the projects till completion.

The statement read: “It has come to the attention of the government of Bayelsa state that some funny characters including the member representing Ogbia constituency 3 in the state house of assembly, Gabriel Ogbara, are going about accusing the restoration government of withholding money meant for constituency projects.

“We find this very absurd and a complete misrepresentation of the real issue. For the avoidance of doubt, let us make it abundantly clear that constituency project funds are not meant for lawmakers but the people.

“Our obligation as backed by law is to make the funds available to competent contractors to execute meaningful projects that will change the lives of our people. As it is evident, in the last six years we have done that. Go round and see the constituency schools for example. It is the judicious use of such funds.”