I Resigned From Fubara’s Cabinet Because We Were Spending Without Appropriation – Ex-Commissioner

Posted by Lawal Munirst on May 13, 2024 0

Five lawmakers loyal to Fubara had approved N800 billion as the state’s budget for the 2024 fiscal year, but a federal high court in Abuja nullified it.

Sim Fubara

Alabo George-Kelly, a former Commissioner of Works in Rivers State, has provided insight into his decision to step down from Governor Sim Fubara’s cabinet.

George-Kelly said he resigned because the state was spending money without appropriation.

Five lawmakers loyal to Fubara had approved N800 billion as the state’s budget for the 2024 fiscal year, but a federal high court in Abuja nullified it.

The court asked the governor to re-present the budget to the House of Assembly under Martin Amaewhule, the factional Speaker.

Amaewhule is an ally of Nyesom Wike, Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).

In the peace pact brokered by President Bola Tinubu in an attempt to reconcile Wike and Fubara, it was agreed that the budget would be re-presented.

That has not been done.

However, Alabo who is loyal to Wike said it was a breach of the procurement law for him to be awarding contracts when there was no budget.

In an interview with Channels Television, Alabo said: “Part of the resolution was that the budget should be re-presented to the correct house of assembly. Was that done up till now? No.

“So if there is no appropriation, if there is no budget, how are you spending? That is my worry.

“How can I serve in that kind of government? I will be picked up one day, because you have immunity. I am approving projects and signing award letters without appropriation which is a breach of a procurement law.

“I don’t have immunity so I can be picked. Probably that could have been one of the reasons for my resignation.”

“Today, tomorrow, next tomorrow, my loyalty lies irreversibly with Chief Barrister Nyesom Ezenwo Wike,” George-Kelly said.

“Let me tell you something. We must not forget about those that helped us to climb. We must not.

“The governor for instance would have been a level 14 civil servant in the ministry of finance if not for Wike that made him a DFA, a permanent secretary and an accountant-general. And then a governor today.

“Some of us should be bold enough to speak the truth to power.”

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