By Endurance Ikanone
Chairman of Warri North Local Government Area, Hon Smart Yomi Asekutu has reacted to the news emanating from Niger Delta Today that he was attacked and beating by his Councilors over embezzlement of funds.
Asekutu who was addressing a good number of pressmen said that; firstly, I would like to debunk the part where Niger Delta Today wrote that I am hardly in my office, this is Campaign period and as a party man, I am expected to be among the train on days slated for Campaign, apart from campaign days, I am usually in my office, attending to issues.
I was not beaten by my Councilors, they had some issues that needed clarification and they came to meet me for it. I spoke to the leaders of the legislative arm and that was it.
Speaking further, he said that the Delta State Government, had approved two million naira for Constituency Projects for Councilors, across all the Local Government Area in Delta State and as the Chairman of Warri North Local Government Area, the council decided to add one million naira to make it three million naira for each Councilors in Warri North Local Government Area, the first set of Councilors have received their, and the second badge will receive theirs soon, this is because I divided them into badges for easy payment he added.
The Chairman further explained that, even when the money was yet to be released from Asaba, he used his discretion to disburse same from the Council treasury to the Councillors, pending the release.
According to him, when the money was eventually released from Asaba, the Councillors came up with the claim that it was their money, but I explained to them that the Council has to used it to replace the money earlier given to them.
"This was what brought the disagreement. But when the leadership of the legislative arm visited, they were satisfied with my explanation and they left only for other Councilors who perhaps, were not satisfied with what their leaders told them, came to me on Sunday and I also have to explained them.
On the issue of refuse disposal truck; the council boss said that his Local Government Area, Warri South West and Burutu Local Government Area were exempted from buying the refuse disposal truck because they basically reverine area.
We were asked not to buy a truck, because our Local Government Area was reverine and we were asked to use the money to clear water hycinth from the water ways to ease navigation by boats and to reduce flooding he said.
Speaking accordingly, he said that the 144 million naira released by the Federal Government for Subsidy Reinvestment and Empowerment Program known as SURE-P fund is still in the council's account and it will be used for people oriented projects.