Targema Takema, secretary to the Benue State Government (SSG), has alleged that more than N46billion local government funds went into private accounts during the eight-year tenure of ex-Governor Gabriel Suswam.
The SSG, who spoke at a reception organised in his honour by the Mbaiwoo Development Association in Buruku Local Government Area of Benue State, said contrary to the 29,000 work force projected as workers of the local governments by the previous administration, a biometric audit of council workers showed that only 14,000 workers were employed in the 23 councils.
He said the bloated figure took between N600million and N700million of local government funds monthly, which went into wrong hands.
He said that the indebtedness of the state stands at N130billion as against the N90billion earlier mentioned, adding that arrangements had been concluded to ensure that those who stole from the pubic treasury were made to return the money.
By Dike Onwuamaeze
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