Posted by From FEMI FOLARANMI, Yenagoa on
The Bayelsa State House of Assembly has launched a probe into the tenure of Vice President Goodluck Jonathan as governor of the state with a summon to the former attorney general and commissioner for Justice, Hon Henry Seriake Dickson to explain what happened to a N150 million contract for supply of Law books.
•Invite ex-commissioner over N150m contract
The Bayelsa State House of Assembly has launched a probe into the tenure of Vice President Goodluck Jonathan as governor of the state with a summon to the former attorney general and commissioner for Justice, Hon Henry Seriake Dickson to explain what happened to a N150 million contract for supply of Law books.
Dickson who is now a member of the House of Representatives, representing Sagbama/ Ekeremor Constituency, was asked by the House to appear before it on September 2, to explain his role in the N150 contract and why it was not executed.
The Chairman, House Committee on Appropriation, Hon. Alfred Egba, representing Yenagoa Constituency 1, while speaking on the floor of the House under matter of urgent public importance, drew attention to the shortage of books in the state library and its effect on the standard of education in the state.
Egba lamented that the various contracts awarded for the building of special schools and supply of books, particularly Law books had not been executed even when the moneys had been paid.
He decried the situation whereby the contract was awarded by the Ministry of Justice, while Jonathan was governor and 18 months after, the books had not been supplied.
Egba said the state chapter of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) and stakeholders in the Judiciary had petitioned the House over the issue, which they were said to have contended, was affecting effective discharge of justice in state.
Only last week the House of Assembly decided to probe the multimillion naira electricity contract; supply and installation of a 32KVA gas turbine, awarded to a Russian firm, Robo Michael by the Jonathan administration.
Jonathan in his reaction to the probe had applauded it, calling on the Assembly to also probe all other contracts awarded.