By Kula Tersoo
Makurdi
Governor Samuel Ortom of Benue state has lashed-out at his predecessor, Gabriel Suswam, saying he was being clever by listing only bonds and commercial loans as the debt profile of the state.
He said that the former governor left out unpaid salaries, retirement benefits and other obligations, “the name you give to such, if not debts, is that between half a dozen and six”.
Ortom, in a release by his adviser on Media and ICT in response to Suswam’s rejoinder to the government’s accusations said: “The Ortom administration managed what was left frugally and was able set aside funds for critical projects and services which are ongoing at the moment.
These include the renovation of the School of Nursing and Midwifery for re-accreditation, resumption of work at Daudu Gbajimba road, completion of the Assembly Complex and part payment of the contractor for resumption of water supply in Otukpo and Katsina-Ala towns”.
Suswam had in a response to what he termed “perpetual diatribes” on him by Ortom’s administration called on the Governor to face his duties of governance and allow him peace since he was no longer the issue in the state.
Suswam, equally, called on Ortom to explain to the Benue public why inconsistencies in calling out debt profile of the state and his management of LNG bailout and other financial transactions threatening to open up on his successor’s dirty deals.
But, Ortom said: “If we were in your position, we would not be talking so soon when someone is trying to clean the mess we left behind.
