The Bayelsa State Ministry of Finance has denied having anything to do with a Revenue Consultant who has reportedly taken all the 36 states and the Nigeria Governors’ Forum to court with the claim that he facilitated the refund of the Paris Club over-deductions from states accounts as the primary consultant and alleged that fees from the refunds are being paid to an unknown consultant.

In a statement issued on Saturday in Yenagoa, the Bayelsa Commissioner for Finance, Maxwell Ebibai, called on the people of the state and the general public “to be informed that the Government did not and has never engaged the services of a Revenue Consultant, in respect of the Paris Club over-deductions or refunds, neither has it paid any funds to any consultant.”

Ebibai noted that the previous administration in the state “had some conflicting consultancy relationships, in respect of other sundry revenue matters on such terms that are out of tune with the standard practices as obtainable in sane climes.” He said that “the Ministry of Justice is vigorously defending the State’s position in the court of law as appropriate.”

“In line with the policy thrust of the Restoration Government to ensure accountability, transparency and high ethical standards in the conduct of Government business, the good people of Bayelsa State are assured that this Government will do all within its powers and resources to ensure that no unscrupulous consultant takes undue advantage of the Government,” Ebibai.

He added that the State Government “will seek every available option for redress in the Court of Law to ensure that only those whose services are genuine and add value get paid, in terms of reflective value for money and commensurate with the value proposition delivered.”

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