BENUE ARTISTS DESERVE THEIR PAY!

One thing we believe in the current APC government is their resilient to fight corruption to the bearest minimum and to ensure all buried corrupt practices are exhumed. To curb corruption, every corrupt practice by members of public must be taken with all seriousness and with aggressive approach. In 2012, eight members of Benue State Arts Theater Troupe on the invitation of federal government took an official trip to South Korea. This trip was sponsored by federal government for them to perform in the international trade and Investment show in South Korea, this was under the then Minister for Trade and Investment Mr. Samuel Ortom, now the Governor of Benue State. This trip was sponsored fully with #14 million Naira been released to the then Hon Commissioner for Culture and Tourism Mrs. Comfort Ajene, who was also on the trip with his Director Mr. R. Tsevende. On returning from the International trip, after successful performance the Artists whose bills were footed all front were dump at the airport on arrival in Nigeria. One of the Artists recalled that, during their trip to South Korea on arrival the Hon Commissioner refused to release money meant for the trip, they all had no choice than to use their own personal money to get to the center were the show was to take place. Some time last year 2016, the Artists took this complaints before ICPC were full attention was given to them but the mystery still remain why after the report to ICPC the complaint still remain unsolved. During ICPC investigation Mrs. C. Ajene was invited were she was found to have embezzled all the money. The former Commissioner agreed to return the trip's money to be given to the Artists who were on the trip but mean while she requested for time to allow her meet with the former Chief of Staff to sort out some issues whereby time was given to her and since then, the Artists money is yet to be release either by Mrs. Ajene or the ICPC who promised to respond timely. If corruption is evil, ICPC must ensure a quick revisit into this complaints to ensure the Artists get their pay. Mr. President has made it clear times without number, corruption must be controlled and those found wanting must be Punished according to the laws of the land. ICPC should launch an investigation into this complaints to see if this complaints was tempered with or back door was shown to Mrs. Ajene by some persons who may have received their own share of the money. When the public see complaints like this treated to their satisfaction, the confidence for better Nigeria  is not always tint.

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