From Uche Nnorom, Makurdi
The Benue State House of Assembly has recommended the suspension of the 23 local government area chairmen pending the completion of investigation into their books of accounts and other related matters.
The Chairmen have therefore,been directed to hand over the affairs of the Local Government Councils, all government property in their possession, including official vehicles, to the DGSAs with immediate effect.
The directive followed the attention drawn to the report of the income and expenditure submitted to the House on 20th June 2023 by the Governor.
Chairman of a three man adhoc Committee set up by the House to review activities of the local government council, Peter Ipusu said the committee considered the report and revert to the House for further action.
“The House is further informed that the committee has considered the report in line with the Financial Memorandum of the Local Government and other extant rules governing the management of funds in the Local Government in Benue state.
“The committee is worried by the outright disregard to procedure and crass mismanagement of Local Government funds for the period under review.
“The Committee wishes to further inform the House that there is a need for a more detailed investigation of the operations of the local government beyond the period under review to cover from June 2015 to May 2023.
“The House is requested to note that section 7 of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended) gives the House of Assembly the right to legislate on matters concerning the Local Government and also authorized the State House of Assembly to perform oversight functions over the Local Government, the report stated.
While praying the Governor to proceed to set up caretaker committees in line with the Benue State Local Government law, the
committee also, urged the House to extend the period of review to cover for the entire tenure of the out gone administration (June 2015 to May 2023).
It added that In order to conduct the review without any interference, the committee recommends the immediate suspension of Executive Council Chairmen in all the 23 local government councils and also,the legislative councils for conniving with the Executive Councils to mismanage public funds put in their trust.
“The Commissioner of Police is requested to ensure a seamless takeover at the various Local Government Councils Headquarters without any friction”, the Committee chair appealed.
