From John Adams, Minna
The Niger State House of Assembly has recommended the immediate suspension of the Chairman of Rijau local government area of the state, Hon Danladi Kwambo Uganda, for financial recklessness and abuse of office.
The suspension according to the house is for three months in the first instance to allow thorough investigation into the activities of the council.
The suspension of the council Chairman follows recommendations on a report by the house committee on local government and Chieftaincy affairs during it oversight functions to the 25 local government areas of the state.
The committee during it’s oversight functions was mandated to among other things, look into the implementation of the 2023 local government appropriation law with special reference to federal allocation, internally generated revenue and expenditure.
The report which was presented to the house at its plenary on Wednesday by the chairman and member representing Rijau Constituency, Hon. Alhaji Bello Bako said during it overnight exercise to Rijau local government, it was discovered that there was huge financial recklessness, gross misconduct and misappropriation as it affect revenue and other finances in the local government.
According to the report, the council acknowledged the receipt of N100 million as overhead for eight months but the embattled Chairman could not account for the fund was spent.
The house committee pointed out that it recommendation was further informed by “the chairman refusal to lodge revenue fund into the designated revenue account for the period of four months, spending public funds without due regards to lay down procedure (F&GPC) and Council’s approval contrary to section 17(2) of local government law 2012 and the disposal of Council assets including vehicles without recourse to due diligence and processes.”
The house was further irked by the refusal of the council chairman to honour an invitation to appear before the house committee on local government with relevant documents during it overnight exercise, and therefore viewed the action of the chairman as a collective insult to the 10th Assembly.
The also recommended that the Vice Chairman should take charge of the affairs of the local government pending the outcome of the investigation.
After an exhaustive deliberation on the matter by the house, the speaker Rt Hon Abdulmalik Sarkindaji directed the clerk of the house to immediately communicate the resolution of the house on the suspension of the embattled Chairman to the state Governor Rt Hon Umar Mohammed Bago.