Nigeria: 2 arms of government cross swords

UBONG GEORGE/MAKURDI

The crisis between the Executive and the Legislative arms of government in Nigeria’s Benue State has resulted in name calling.

The executive arm described the State House of Assembly as an arm-twisting house, whose stock in trade is perpetrating deceit for pecuniary motives.

The State Commissioner for Information, Mr. Conrad Wergba who stated this while reacting to reports on the health of the Benue State account, expressed regrets that such report was attributed to the Benue State House of Assembly, an integral part of government.

The assembly a few days ago expressed worry over the delay in payment of salaries including those of the members and therefore resolved to summon the Commissioner for Finance, Mr. Omadachi Oklobia to appear before it to explain financial status of the state.

However, in a press statement made available by to P.M.NEWS, the Information Commissioner explained that only four members of the house including the Minority Whip Terkimbi of Action Congress, ACN, Majority Whip Christopher Afaor, PDP, the Minority Whip, Terkimbi Ikyange; Hon Benjamin Adanyi, ACN, and Anthony Sende were affected because they refused to present themselves for biometric data screening.

He maintained that the members have since been paid through supplementary vouchers, adding that the State government is up to date with the payment of salaries and other financial obligations.

Wergba said this month’s slight delay in the payment of salaries was occasioned by late remittances after the monthly Federation Account meetings which now hold in the third week of the month instead of the second.

In the case of teachers’ salaries, he said the State Universal Basic Education Board has just concluded verification exercise of teachers in the state and in conjunction with the Bureau for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs has commenced table verification and payment of teachers based on the new minimum wage.

While warning stakeholders who are in the habit of casting the State governor in negative light to refrain from such act, Wergba assured all workers and other relevant stakeholders that the state government would continue to live up to its fiscal responsibilities.

Members of Benue State House of Assembly recently decried the unhealthy financial condition of the state which they said had resulted in the non-payment of some sections of the civil servants including members of the assembly for three months.