A coalition of 45 non-governmental organisations in Bayelsa State have dragged Governor, Douye Diri, 4 of his aides and the State House of Assembly before the State High Court in Yenagoa over the need for the State to make public the status of its finances including the lists of loans obtained and the debt profile from 2015 till date.
The 4 aides to the Bayelsa State Governor listed as respondents in the suit include the Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, the Commissioner for Works and Infrastructure, Commissioner for Health and the Commissioner for Education.
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The claimant in the suit on behalf of the 45 groups is Kemedengiyefa Opia under the aegis of the Bayelsa Non-Governmental Organisations Forum, BANGOF.
In the suit with number YHC/183/2020 made available to newsmen in Yenagoa, they claimants are asking the State High Court to issue an order of mandamus compelling the defendants to make available information on the accounts of the State for the period between 2015 to 2019 in line with and pursuance to the Freedom of Information Act, 2011.
It should be recalled that the suit by the NGOs comes days after the State House of Assembly approved the sum of N17 billion as loan request by the State Governor to boost the economy of the State and enhance good governance.
The approval was sequel to a motion moved by the Assembly Leader, Monday Obolo and seconded by lawmaker Charles Daniel who is the member representing Brass Constituency I.
(Editor: Terverr Tyav)
