Arts and Life
FG palliatives distribution: Nasarawa Assembly summons 2 Commissioners, 2 council Chair over alleged diversion
By David Okpashi
Nasarawa State House of Assembly Committee investigating alleged diversion of palliatives by some government officials and stakeholders has summoned two Commissioners, two Local government Chairmen to appear before it to clear themselves of their role on the disappearance of some items.
The committee has however commended Hon Safiyanu Isa Andaha, the Chairman of Akwanga LGA for ensuring equitable distribution of the palliative to the poorest of the poor in the area.
Chairman of the Committee and Deputy Speaker of the House, Hon.
According to the committee Chairman, the house was satisfied with the second phase of the palliative distribution in Akwanga Local Government Area.
He said the committee decided to invite two Commissioners and two Local government Chairmen from the Akwanga zone was for the affected persons explained how the palliatives provided by the Federal and Nasarawa State Governments were distributed in their local government areas.
“We are concerned with the reports of parliative distribution in some local government areas which has prompted us to summon the affected persons to explain how items meant for the poorest of the poor were allegedly diverted. We are not witch hunting anyone but want to ensure that right things were done”.
“Akwanga Local Government Area Chairman you have done well in the distribution of the items in your council. We want to call on you to continue to show leadership in all your dealings including the second phase of the palliative”.
Earlier, Hon Safiyanu Isa Andaha, the Chairman, Akwanga Local Government Area said that the second phase of the palliative would be done transparently. saying the poorest of the poor got the palliative in the local government as directed by the state government
The chairman of the council assured that he would continue to do the right thing at all times in the interest of peace and development of the area.
Those appearing before the committee include: Hashiru Bala Suleiman, James Thomas, Chairmen of Wamba and Karu local government Areas respectively.
The LG Chairmen explained how they distributed the palliative and presented before the committee documents containing mode of their palliative distribution.
Rt. Hon Abel Yakubu Bala, the Chairman of the Committee and Deputy Speaker of the House while speaking said the committee will ensure that those found wanting are brought to book to serve as deterrent to others.
The committee chairman said the council chairmen were invited for further explanation because the committee was highly dissatisfied with their explanations.
adding that the committee has extended its invitation to the Chairmen of Local Government Areas and overseers of Panda and Karshi, Prof. Dakari Rabo and Hon Ibrahim Arafat respectively in order to get information on how they shared their palliatives.
They affected persons, James Thomas, councillors of Karu Legislative Council to appear before the committee alongside the Commissioners representing Karu on Monday, Oct.16, 2023 by 11am.