By Titus Atondu, Makurdi
A three man Adhoc committee on Local Government Councils constituted by the 10th Benue State House of Assembly headed by Hon. Peter Ipusu, member representing Katsina Ala West constituency in the Benue Assembly has recommended the immediate suspension of the 23 Local Government.
It was gathered that the Council Chairmen and their respective legislative councils for conniving with them to mismanage public funds under their trust following the report of the income and expenditure of Local Government Councils submitted to the House on 20th June 2023.
The Council Chairmen were therefore directed to hand over the affairs of their respective Local Government Councils, all government properties in their possession, including official vehicles, to the DGSAs with immediate effect and proceed on suspension pending the completion of investigation into their books of accounts and other related matters.
In a press statement signed by the Chairman of the Committee, Hon. Peter Ipusu on Tuesday and made available to Nigerian NewsDirect, explained that the suspension became necessary for the committee to conduct the review of Local Government financial activities without any interference, with the sole aim of coming out with result oriented report.
The Committee further prayed that the Honourable House to extend the period of review exercise to cover the entire tenure of the out gone administration from June 2015 to May 2023.
The Committee mandated the Executive Governor to proceed and set up caretaker committees in line with the Benue State Local Government law and charged the Commissioner of Police to ensure a seamless takeover at the various Local Government Councils Headquarters without any friction.
The Committee expressed worry over the outright disregard to procedure and gross mismanagement of Local Government funds for the period under review.
The Committee also cited section 7 of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended) to the House, that gives the House of Assembly the right to legislate on matters concerning the Local Government and also authorizes the State House of Assembly to perform oversight functions over the Local Government Councils.
The Speaker, Hon. Hyacinth Aondona Dajoh, representing the good people of Gboko West affirmed the prayers of the committee.