The governorship flag bearer of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) for the Febuary 11 election in Bayelsa State, Hon.Henry Seriake Dickson yesterday explained why he is responding to the claims by the camp of Bayelsa State Governor, Timipre Sylva on his involvement in the 2006 award of? N150million law library contract.?
Dickson who was Attorney General and Commissioner of Justice at the time said he owes Bayelsans the duty to once more explain to them? the true position so that his integrity remains intact, and save the state from fifth columnists and lies propagated by Sylva and his shrinking supporters. He spoke with newsmen yesterday at his residence in Yenagoa.?
Though Dickson said the allegation that he misappropriated the N150million has not affected his campaign plans for the governorship elections, he however stressed that the people of the state need to understood the legal implication of the lies. The true position according to the governorship hopeful was that the contract was awarded but the money was not released before he left government. He said this position was captured by the certified copy of? the immediate past state government hand over note.
LEADERSHIP scooped the? hand over note dated April,2006 by the Former Permanent Secretary of the Justice Ministry, Dame Didi Watson-Jack and a? request for the release of the controversial fund by Former Commissioner for Budget &Economic Planning, Felix Odubo months after Dickson exited from office. The documents showed that the fund was never released to Dickson as claimed by his opponents.? If the money was released as claimed by Sylva’s group, Dickson argued that Odubo wouldn’t have applied for the funds months after he had left government. What was however released to Dickson according to the reports was N49million for the purchase of Portal Cabins which the government acknowledged was procured..
Dickson confirmed this to LEADERSHIP. ”What was released to me was N49million for procurement of Portal cabin to house the Library but we later decided to build concrete buildings. Instead of Ten Porta Cabins, we built 12 concrete buildings with toilets. The building was completed and is been used by some federal government agencies and parastatals like the Road safety, prisons and others.”
“I know where the false claims are coming from. Sylva called me at a time saying that I? played a role in the nullification of his mandate in 2007 and vowed to use the Law Libary fund to rubbish me. Before then, he had asked his Commissioner of Justice to revalidate the fund. And I? knew where they were going. For something I? should be commended for, nobody asked for record of payment and they did not bother to check vouchers and the rest in the ministry for evidence of release of fund.”
“I want to run a government of integrity if elected and that is why I? take time to explain all these and for people to understand me well. It should be known that anyone appointed into my cabinet should know that it would not be business as usual. The moment I? discover that a commissioner is indicted over non completion of jobs, I? will sack him. All rubbish going on in the state with the stealing at will must stop. I have nothing to do with government money and will ensure that all leakages are blocked.”
Dickson told reporters that he voluntarily resigned from the government of then Governor Goodluck Jonathan? as commissioner to contest in the 2007 National Assembly elections and wondered why Sylva is bent on denting his image even though he left government without baggage. He pointed out that there is in existence a robust and well articulated plan of governance in his kitty and all he needs is a sustained trust and understanding between him and the people of the state to deliver on his promises.
”For me to do all I? have planned for the state, my integrity on proper utilisation of funds and credibility on past workings with government must be understood. If you ask around, they say I? am stingy. I am happy they call me aradite. It is better for the future of the state. I don’t have to share public funds but those that engage in hard work will be rewarded adequately. Those that engaged in failed contracts will be jailed. if they fail in delivering the contract they have to account to the people of the state.
The campaigns by opposition camp led by some members of this outgoing administration is not affecting me but it is important that my integrity be backed up with the open and transparent plan of transformation that I have,’’ he said.