Ortom denies spending N34m on China trip

Benue State Governor, Samuel Ortom, has denied allegations leveled against him by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the state that he withdrew over N34 million from the coffers of the state government for his trip to the People’s Republic of China.

Ortom was one of the state governors on President Muhammadu Buhari’s delegation during his official trip to China.

The state chapter of the PDP alleged that Ortom and his wife spent N34 million on the trip at a time civil servants in the state were groaning over non-payment of salaries.

Ortom, who denied the allegation through his Chief Press Secretary, Mr. Terver Akase, described the claim as frivolous, adding that those spreading such falsehood were not in tune with the provisions of the statutes of public service.

Akase said: “Governor Ortom is entitled to travel allowances anytime he travels, so when somebody says he has siphoned N34 million, it is absurd.