Senator Dickson Tasks Governors To Be Transparent On State/LGAs Joint Account
…Receives Award From Coalition Of CSOs
Samuel Ogidan, Abuja
Former Governor of Bayelsa State and Senator representing Bayelsa West, Senator Seriake Dickson has tasked governors of the 36 states to be transparent in handling the states and Local Government Areas joint account.
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Dickson spoke in Abuja at the National Assembly on Friday after conferment of Transparency in Leadership Merit Award on him by Centre for Credible Leadership and Citizens Awareness.
He said: “Having ensured transparency in governance in Bayelsa State within the last ten years, I urge the governments of the remaining 35 States in the country, to put in place transparency law as required mechanism of handling the States / LGs joint accounts.”
He explained that from February 14, 2012 to February 14, 2020 when he served as Executive Governor of Bayelsa State, not a dime was taken from monies meant for the eight local government councils in the state from Federation Account.
He said: “Instrumentality of law used to drive transparency on the joint account, was Transparency Law enacted in 2012 upon assumption of office and strictly adhered to by all parties concerned as far as the account was concerned.
“The transparency law was a template set in Bayelsa State for exercising financial autonomy of the local government councils.
“Apart from not taking a dime from federally allocated monies to any of the local government councils in Bayelsa State under my leadership as Governor, 15% of internally generated revenues by the State, was on monthly basis, given to the LGs for grassroots development.
“The law is also being adhered to by the present government in the State, making one to say that in Bayelsa State is not one of any state where the joint account is being abused
He, however, dedicated the award conferred on him to all the key players of restoration government he led in Bayelsa State from 2012 to 2020 .
Conferring the award, the Director General of the Coalition, Dr Nwambu Gabriel, explained how the transparency law enacted by Governor Dickson during his administration helped to attain good governace in Bayelsa state.
He said his administration in Bayelsa in 2012 and strict adherence to its provisions with attendant good governance to Bayelsans, made him to be the worthy awardee .
