7th September, 2022
The committee set up by the Niger House of Assembly to investigate contract financing loans of 25 local government councils has recommended the suspension of 15 of the Chairmen.
The committee said the decision was reached to pave way for smooth and unhindered access by the members of the committee to enable them to discharge their duties diligently.
Presenting the report during plenary on Wednesday, Chairman of the committee, Abdulmalik Madaki said the affected chairmen were those of Mokwa, Gbako, Suleja, Gurara, Tafa, Paikoro, Bosso, Agwara, Borgu, Kontagora, Wushishi, Magama, Mashegu, Mariga and Rijau.
This, he said, was in line with the provision of sections 128 and 129 of the constitution of Nigeria 1999 as amended.
The action, Madaki added, was also in line with the provision of section 90 subsection one a b and c of local governments 2001 as amended.
He alleged that most of the local government council chairmen had collected the loan without following due process, which he said was unacceptable.
Madaki said, ”the problem had added extra burden for the smooth running of local governments in the state.”
Madaki also recommended that the deduction of N8million from each local government council for loan repayment be suspended.
He said this was due to the failure of the ministry for local governments to obtain house resolution as provided in section 97 sub-section 1 of local government councils law 2001 as amended.