How Suswam Converted Government’s Property – Ortom
The Benue state government has explained reason behind the revocation of the sale of government property N0.GP.145, Atom Kpera Lodge, to former governor Gabriel Suswam.
The reason was made known in a signed statement by the spokesman to Governor Samuel Ortom, Terver Akase, saying that the revocation order on the affected property was taken by the State Executive Council and was hinged on the findings that the deal was marred with irregularities by the immediate past administration, Leadership reports.
Akase explained further that transaction record showed that the Suswam had applied for the allocation for the property on June 26, 2007 and while the actual allocated was back dated to May 29 of the same year.
He said: “Similarly, while payment for the property was expected to be made within six months of allocation, the immediate past Governor did not effect the payment until 27th September, 2012, when he paid the sum of N4, 847,000.00 and was issued a Certificate of Occupancy.
“Not only did this method of transaction fail to conform to known minimum standards the purchase of the lodge did not have any semblance of transparency and due process, just as the deal amounted to abuse of power.”
Ortom’s mouthpiece further stated that aside of the sale was wrapped in a questionable manner; it was a bit strange that a sitting governor will decide to sell government property to himself.
Reacting to the revocation, Suswam’s media assistant, Joseph Anawa, said that he has not been served with the revocation letter.
Meanwhile,Governor Ortom had forced eleven permanent secretaries in the state civil service into retirement owing to health related issues.
The reason was made known in a signed statement by the spokesman to Governor Samuel Ortom, Terver Akase, saying that the revocation order on the affected property was taken by the State Executive Council and was hinged on the findings that the deal was marred with irregularities by the immediate past administration, Leadership reports.
Akase explained further that transaction record showed that the Suswam had applied for the allocation for the property on June 26, 2007 and while the actual allocated was back dated to May 29 of the same year.
He said: “Similarly, while payment for the property was expected to be made within six months of allocation, the immediate past Governor did not effect the payment until 27th September, 2012, when he paid the sum of N4, 847,000.00 and was issued a Certificate of Occupancy.
“Not only did this method of transaction fail to conform to known minimum standards the purchase of the lodge did not have any semblance of transparency and due process, just as the deal amounted to abuse of power.”
Ortom’s mouthpiece further stated that aside of the sale was wrapped in a questionable manner; it was a bit strange that a sitting governor will decide to sell government property to himself.
Reacting to the revocation, Suswam’s media assistant, Joseph Anawa, said that he has not been served with the revocation letter.
Meanwhile,Governor Ortom had forced eleven permanent secretaries in the state civil service into retirement owing to health related issues.
