By Samuel Oyadongha
YENAGOA — Bayelsa State Government, yesterday, warned local government chairmen over misappropriation of public funds, threatening to deal decisively with any one caught looting the treasury.

The warning is coming on the heels of the state Ministry of Education’s three years ultimatum to teachers in its employment without professional qualification to obtain such prerequisite qualification or be thrown out of service.

The state Deputy Governor, Mr. Werinipre Seibarugu, who gave the warning while receiving the delegation of state chapter of the Association of Local Government Chairmen of Nigeria, ALGON,  in his office, stressed the need for transparency and accountability in the third tier of government.

He lamented that loans taken by previous local government area administrators had turned out to be a burden, because they were not tied to specific projects that would have increased their revenue base.

“There was lack of proper documentation of loans taken and as a result, there is need for you to itemise the projects, its effects before venturing into taking loan.”

“In no distance time, the state government will set up a committee that would take a cursory look at the finances of the eight constitutionally recognised local government areas in the state, especially in the areas of loan,” he said.