By Theresa Donatus, UYO
Speaking in an interview in Uyo, the state capital yesterday, the Chairman of the House of Assembly Committee on Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Mr. Mark Esset, clarified the House’s position on the matter, explaining that suspended Chairman got the axe following allegations of frauds and financial crimes leveled against him.
According to the lawmaker representing Nsit Atai state constituency, the alleged financial crimes and fraudulent seizure of some the council’s assets, were at variance with the Local Government Administration laws.
He added that the due process were not followed as the councilors, who constitute the Local Government Legislature were not carried along the decisions taken by the Chairman.
“The Assembly did not just wake up and jump into the issues bothering on the Local Government, the Assembly only followed the processes instituted by the Local Government Legislature.
“Our action against Mkpat Enin Chairman was based on recommendations of the councilors; about 12 out of the 15 councilors signed a petition against the Chairman, citing many breaches of the administrative abuse.
“One of the outstanding issues includes, but not limited to the disappearance of the council grader. The whereabouts of the grader remains unknown by the councilors, Director of Works and the Finance and General Purpose Committee (FGPC).
“Issues about the cost for repairs, the company handling the repairs and other surrounding issues remain unknown to other members of the council”, he explained.
Esset, who also frowned at allegations of financial impropriety including extrajudicial spending of funds accruable to the council including the Internally Generated Revenues (IGR), said the Chairman had to be suspended for proper investigation to be carried out before final decision on his case.
It was gathered that our correspondent reached out to the Acting chairman of Mkpat Enin LG, Hon. Lady Mercy Bassey and other stake holders of the council for their reactions, but the request was turned down.
It's just appropriate to let everyone know that people may be silent and look at certain leadership moves with the hope that such a leader will mend his ways.
ReplyDeleteHowever due to the delusion of time some drunken leaders may interprete the silence to mean foolishness except actions like this is taken for others to lesson some good lessons.