Secret Reporters No place to hide
Secret Reporters
With the unfolding events of the long-awaited 2019 elections, it appears that the governor of Cross Rivers State Prof. Ben Ayade is already developing cold-feet probably because of the fear of losing his second term bid.
SecretReporters gathered that this allegedly may be the brim behind the Irrevocable Standing Payment Order (ISPO) signed by Prof Ben Ayade demanding for a monthly payment of N300, 000, 000 (Three Hundred Million Naira) until a jaw-breaking amount of N648, 870,730,739.23 (Six Hundred and Eight Billion, Eight Hundred and Seventy Million, Seven Hundred and Thirty Thousand, Seven Hundred and Thirty Nine Naira, Twenty Three Kobo) is fully paid for the construction of the proposed 275KM Calabar-Ikom-Katsina-Ala Super Highway in the State.
Insider sources reveal that in a letter dated February 19th, 2019 with reference number SSG/S/300/VOL.XVII/1199, addressed to the Speaker of the State House of Assembly, the professor turned governor implored the State legislature to consider and pass a resolution granting “an approval for the State government to issue an ISPO of N300million monthly through the United Bank for Africa (UBA) in favour of Messrs Sydney Construction Nigeria Limited for the Construction of the 275KM Calabar-Ikom-Katsina-Ala Super Highway subject to issuance of Interim Payment Certificate (IPC)”.
However, when one would have thought that the governor had the people at heart and was doing his best to ensure that the dividends of democracy were visible in the People’s Paradise, SecretReporters gathered that just like the cunning fox, he is only interested in serving his pockets as investigations showed that Messrs Sydney Construction Nigeria Limited was allegedly an offshoot of Lophina Construction which was owned by Ben Ayade but folded up three years before he became governor of the state.
Further investigations showed that the heinous governor who is known for his cunning tricks, in a bid to ensure that the state is placed under perpetual debts also allegedly offered a bribe of N10 million to each member of the 25 member House of Assembly so as to facilitate the quick passage of the ISPO.
However, the House members who are trying to take advantage of the looting spree of their “Oga at the top” allegedly declined signing the bill unless they are given N50 million each (Fifty Million Naira) as their share of the loot, an allegation which was blatantly refuted by Speaker of the State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. John Gaul-Lebo.
More findings revealed that the governor whom no doubt wants to be on the payroll of the state all his life as the ‘Looter of Ages’ allegedly refused to allow numerous foreign investors who have indicated interest in taking charge of the 275KM superhighway project on the basis of a Public Private Partnership (PPP) or Build Operate and Transfer agreement.
Economic Analysts in the state revealed that it will take the State which has the highest budget of over N1, 000, 000, 000, 000 (One Trillion Naira) for 2019 more than 2160 months (180 years) to fully pay the N648, 870,730,739.23 debt if Governor Ayade succeeds in his scheme.
