The Speaker expressed his assurance that the funds would soon be released to the state even as he urged the people of Benue to remain calm.
Rose Ejembi, Makurdi
Speaker of the Benue State House of Assembly Hon. Titus Uba has urged the federal government to release the Paris Club Refund it seized from the Benue State government, to enable workers in the state enjoy its benefits.
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The last tranche of the Paris Club Refund to Benue State amounting to N14.9 billion, which was released to the state, was later withdrawn from the state account by the federal government.
Uba, speaking with newsmen in Makurdi on Wednesday after the sitting of the Assembly, accused the federal government of targeting Benue as a way of indirectly punishing the people of the state for some reason.
He alleged that some of the states also affected by the Paris Club Refund withdrawal had been reimbursed, as he wondered why Benue was an exception.
“For me, I would say Benue was a target because the money had been released to some other states. Why is Benue’s case different?”
The Speaker, however, expressed his assurance that the funds would soon be released to the state even as he urged the people of Benue to remain calm.
“We believe the money will be released to us because it is our money. Benue people should just be patient. The Governor is not resting on the matter. It is our money and it will be sent back to us and the people will have the benefit of that money,” Uba stated.