The Bayelsa Progressives Alliance (BPA) has challenged Governor Seriake Dickson of Bayelsa State to ensure that the proposed probe of his government begins with the Ministry of Works and Finance which are allegedly manned by his cronies.

In a statement made available to the media, the group commended the governor who spoke through his deputy for embarking on the exercise but insisted that can only be credible and without bias if those who are his perceived cronies are the first to be probed.

According to the spokesman of the group, Hon. George Otono, the plan to set up a probe panel at a time like this may have some political undertones targeted at perceived opponents of the state government who may be opposed to the governor’s reelection bid. If the probe is sincerely aimed at ensuring transparency and accountability, then the Ministry of Works which has received over 70 per cent of the total sum of N660bn from federal allocation since four years; without any commensurate projects on ground. “The government must explain what it has done with the larger chunk of the federal; funds it has released so far to the Ministry of Works, without any quality projects completed. The contractors are yet to be paid in full for jobs done; but, the government beats its chest through media hype that it has done well”.

Otono further urged the government to probe the activities of the Ministry of Finance which is responsible for certifying and making payments on the said projects executed. The group also questioned the contract values of these projects which they alleged are over inflated.

The Bayelsa Progressives Alliance therefore called on the state governor to, as a matter of urgency commence a probe of his cronies in charge of the two ministries.

•Photo shows Gov. Dickson.