Benue To Domesticate Procurement Act To Check Corruption, Says SSG

Samuel OrtomBenue State Government plans to domesticate the Public Procurement Act as a tool in fighting corruption in the state civil service, the Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Mr Targema Takema, has said.

Takema said in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Saturday in Makurdi that the government would use the law to sanction corrupt officials.

The SSG alleged that “over 70 percent of revenues earned in this state by the past administration were stolen” due to the failure of the government to deal with corrupt public officials.

The SSG said the administration of Gov. Samuel Ortom was evolving ways to block revenue leakages and ensure transparency in the conduct of government affairs for effective service delivery.

He said the administration had commenced a review of the land administration in the state with a view to making it people oriented and generate more revenue.

Takema disclosed that the government had also restructured tax administration, to enhance its revenue base.

He assured people of the state that the government would live up to expectation in spite of the mounting challenges confronting the state. (NAN)