Ortom: Probing Suswam my responsibility to Benue people

Samuel Ortom, Benue state governor, has restated his determination to probe the administration of Gabriel Suswam, his predecessor, describing it as as one of his responsibilities to his people.

Ortom announced this in Makurdi, capital of the state, while swearing in three new special advisers.

He said the people voted him into office because of his pledge to correct all the wrongs in the previous administration.

“Those who stole public funds must return it or risk going to jail; government has overwhelming evidence against those indicted in the report of the judicial commission of inquiry setup by the state,” he said.

“We must recover all stolen funds in Benue and develop the state with it. We have a lot of evidence against those indicted in the report of the judicial commission of inquiry.

“During my campaign, I told the people that I was going to check and boldly correct all the wrongs in Suswam’s administration.

“My actions in office will determine whether I will win a second tenure or not; 2019 will take care of itself.”

Ortom charged the new advisers to steer clear of public funds and dare not to convert funds meant for the execution of projects for service delivery and the people’s welfare into private pockets.

“We must be conscious that by probing the previous administration today, ours shall be probed tomorrow,” he said.

The new advisers are Matthew Mnyam, Benjamin Ashaver and Richard Gbaden, bringing the number of the governor’s advisers to 20.