by Azeez Adeniyi
The Bayelsa State government has said it was not part of decision by the Nigeria Governors Forum (NGF) to hire consultants for the first tranche of the Paris club refunds.
In a statement on Saturday, Mazwell Ebibai, the state Commissioner for Finance, said the state government had no hands in the hiring of any consultant on the Paris Club refunds.
[Read Also: PARIS CLUB REFUND: WE DIDN’T DO ANYTHING ILLEGAL – NGF]
There had been reports that a consultant had charged the 36 state governments to court over claims that it was retained to handle the refund.
“The Government did not and has never engaged the services of a Revenue Consultant in respect of the Paris Club over-deductions or refunds; neither has it paid any funds to any consultant.
“The policy thrust of the Restoration Government is to ensure accountability, transparency and high ethical standards in the conduct of Government business.
[Read Also: THERE’S NO ISSUE WITH PARIS CLUB REFUND – YARI]
“The good people of Bayelsa State are assured that this Government will do all within its powers and resources to ensure that no unscrupulous consultant takes undue advantage of the Government,” Ebibai stated.
Bayelsa was yet to receive the second tranche of the Paris Club refunds disbursed in March, but received N14.5 billion in the first tranche in December, 2016.
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