PDP, Edo trade words on LG bosses jeeps

[Punch]

Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party in Edo State, Chief Dan Orbih, on Sunday accused the state government of fraudulently purchasing Prado Sports Utility Vans for the 18 local government council chairmen in the state.

Orbih, in a statement, alleged that the state government recently asked council chairmen to remit N18m each for the purchase of the jeeps.

The PDP, in the statement, questioned the rationale behind the state government's purchase of vehicles for local councils.

Special Adviser, Media to Governor Adams Oshiomhole, Kassim Afegbua, however faulted the PDP, saying the party lacked focus and was in want of serious things to engage in.

He said, "Let them go and ask the local government chairmen. Does the state government run the local governments? We are not the ones to decide for local governments. So, ask them; they have budget and they pass it. We should not be the one talking for elected local government chairmen."

Orbih, in his statement, had said nowhere in the world was a Prado jeep sold for so much, and called on members of the National Assembly to revisit the issue of local government autonomy as it prepared to re-write the 1999 Constitution.

He argued, "When did state government become transport officer for the councils? Nowhere in the world is a Prado jeep sold for N18m.

"We are aware that the car is sold for between N9m and N11m and good discounts are given for bulk purchase. We call on the state government to refund the balance of the money for the development of the council. We also call on the National Assembly to take a second look at the local government autonomy bill, so as to save councils from the governors."



The Punch

[Folami David]

Trading of words is definately not a good thing especially when it happens at times that we don't expect. Our political parties should take things easy.