The Niger State Governor, Alhaji Abubakar Sani Bello, has come under fire as the State House of Assembly on Thursday lambasted government’s weakness in probing the immediate past administration, which was accused of looting government funds.
The Assembly said it was obvious the government lacks the courage to recover state funds.
The members while lamenting the weakness on the part of the executive, asserted that stolen funds have been recovered in other states and looters are being persecuted while Bello has done nothing.
The lawmakers said in Minna on Thursday during their sitting that the government should do what other states have done to recover stolen funds.
In his assertion, the Deputy Speaker of of State House, Hon. Ibrahim Hussaini, stated that the executive needs to match words with action and go after the looters.
According to Hussaini: “I think Niger Etate executive do not have the courage to come out with facts of the looted funds.
“If the facts are out, it will show how serious the government is about looted funds.
“The move to stamp out corruption would not be possible if correction is not first made.
“It is sad that we have read of stolen funds being recovered in Benue, Kaduna, Plateau and other states, mentioning amount recovered from those who looted government funds during the past administration.”
The member representing Bosso Constituency, Hon. Madaki Malik Bosso, said the government needs to stop singing about recovering stolen money but swing into action.
According to Bosso: “Before the presentation of the budget, the administration has been singing on how it will deal with those who stole government money and also those who are corrupt.
“All these are just mere singing, but over eight months into the administration, we are yet to see any measure taken to deal with the looters neither has any measures been put in place to recover the money.
“Since the start of this administration till now, no explanations have been made on who the looters are and how the money will be recovered.”
Bosso then urged the House to assist the executive arm in ensuring that the looted money is recovered, adding: “There is no way you can tackle corruption without taking correction.
“This will serve as deterrent to anyone who intends to steal government funds.
“Inability for this government to recover this fund will not make it easy for the government to tackle corruption.”
Most of the members while deliberating on the 2016 budget, were of the view that the budget is unrealistic, especially with the fall in crude oil price, adding that the revenue earmarked for the year will not be achievable.
The Member representing Kontagora 1, Hon. Mohammed Nurudeen Umar, advised the executive arm to get a source of funding and look for a way to realize the budget.
According to Umar: “The reliance on Federation Account will not be able to help the state at all.
“If this continues, by next year, Niger State Government will not be able to pay the salaries of civil servants.
“The economic system is gradually going down.
“N35.2 billion earmarked to be gotten from the Federation Account will not be gotten and with the shortfall of the revenue gotten in 2015 from IGR, this year’s plan will not be realizable.”
The lawmakers then stated that the House will not succumb to blackmailers who want to force them not to scrutinize the budget, stressing that they will not be intimidated by any group of persons.
After debating on the 2016 budget speech by the Governor, the Speaker, Hon. Ahmed Marafa, called on the state government to make available the report of the five committees inaugurated after it came into power to look into funds stolen by individuals in the previous administration.
Trending
- May Day: Gov. Adeleke flaunts achievements, says we are all comrades
- Lagos-Calabar Highway Project: FG begins compensation payment
- EFCC violated rights of Yahaya Bello’s children – Kogi Youths
- I won’t dash your hope on new minimum wage, Oyebanji assures Ekiti workers
- Workers Day: Nwifuru gives N10,000 additional salary bonus to workers
- Be patient, pray earnestly for our leaders, Pastor Anosike tells Nigerians
- Tariff hike: Tribunal orders substituted service of interim order on MultiChoice
- Pregnant woman, nine others injured in Lagos gas explosion