C’ RIVER FINANCING: Ifere Paul Berates Ben Ayade

Ifere Paul|25 August 2015|5:33am

In a 22 August media chat with The Guardian Correspondent, Anietie Akpan, Cross River Governor Ben Ayade asserted that C' River is run by the governor's personal and family wealth. This incited reactions from individuals of different political persuasion notable among which was Ifere Paul. The later delineated on his social media account how Prof. Ben Ayade misrepresented reality in that assertion. Below are his critical submissions:

'I read in the papers lately that Crossriverians are presently governed by Ayade's personal and family wealth.

The Ayade and family wealth has been dwindling. Not because of using it for governance in CRS. Much of his campaign funding came from his oil and gas company that almost went bankrupt. Real estate and properties in Warri were sold off to fund the campaign. At one point Ayade and family wealth became so broke that they couldn't fund more of Liyel Imoke's demands. At Some points during the campaign, Liyel was being accused of trying to run down Ayade's wealth. The campaign suffered no funding for perhaps a period over three weeks until Goddy Jeddy Agba was called to step in for his boy. Agba provided much of the funds that saw the buy over of voters, and the resettlement of political strong men a week to elections.

By this time, the Ayade and family wealth was if not gone completely, almost gone. The Ayade companies could barely pay its staff for two months. Things returned to normalcy only last month with the Ayade companies after he had become governor.

The fact I want to establish is that Ayade'a personal finances was no more promising months before the elections. I'm aware that at one point he borrowed 100 million from a bank that opened a branch in Calabar recently, just to be able to host a successful inauguration. His companies came to life only as Ayade became governor. So, it was the governorship that otherwise brought in the revival of a near bankrupt Ayade holdings.

Now, at what point was Ayade using his personal and family wealth to govern the State? I am aware that 3 weeks to inauguration, Ayade acquired a soft loan on Coscharis Motors for the delivery of his convoy motors to the tune of 300 million naira. This was billed to the state even before he was sworn in? Why didn't he use his personal and family wealth for that?

I am also aware that Ayade awarded a "Keep Calabar Clean" dumpsters that they wanted to force us to buy at 17,400 naira to Venatius Ikem. The contract was worth over 150 million naira. The money was taken from a state operated account. Not Ayade's account.

Well, all accounts in the State has only Ayade as signatory. The accounts have been personalized. Is it that he now assumes that all State monies are his monies?

Let me also state one fact here. Ayade had at one point admitted that the monies generated from CRS quarries alone can pay State workers. So far, Ayade has kept a clean slate using those funds to clear the state salary backlog. And he has been keeping good record in that direction.

At what point was Ayade's wealth used in payment of salaries? Before the election? Or was he scammed by Liyel? Or were they both scamming us to get votes? Ayade has closed and locked up all accounts in the state. All withdrawal are approved directly by the governor by either a text messaging network or a voice prompt. Ministries have no imprest to even buy stationery. It is being rumored that people now take A4 paper sheets to offices to do business with government, for three months now.

At what point did Ayade deemed it necessary to use personal or family wealth to finance the ministries? If he has been doing that why are there no paper and printing inks in government ministries?

Please take off those dark glasses. Look us in the eyes and tell us the truth.'