Babangida’s state stinks
By HENRY UMAHI [umahi@sunnewsonline.come]
Saturday, June 27, 2009
Niger State, the self-acclaimed Power State made history recently. It became the first and only state that had three speakers in one week. First, was Hon Mohammed Alkali as speaker. Second, Hon Idris Ndako took over. Third, Hon Umar MarAli, who currently occupies the seat, was selected.
However, while members of the camp of the state governor, Alhaji Babangida Aliyu and the opposition, believed to be led by former governor, Abdulkadir Kure, are celebrating their victory and counting their loss, as the case may be, what many may not know is that the root of the matter is a struggle for survival.
Saturday Sun gathered that the occupation of the post of speaker in Niger State has become an issue because of a petition before the state House of Assembly against the governor. The petition made damning allegations against the governor and demands that the House investigates the matter and take appropriate action.
Indeed, in the petition dated January 18, 209, Engineer Yahaya Mohmood attached volumes of documentary exhibits to prove his case. He pointedly stated that the misuse of “state resources by the Chief Servant, the governor of Niger State, and some officials of his government had reached an alarming state and is already the source of concern to our people,” adding: “Unless the House acts swiftly, our state is in the imminent danger of collapsing. I, therefore, urge you to conduct full scale investigation into the allegations contained in the attached petition.”
Similarly, a group, Eagle Eye Coalition, had petitioned the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on what it called “ abuse of office and looting of public treasury by the government of Niger State through the office of the Chief of Staff to the governor and other cronies.” Dated October 16, 2008, the petition was signed by Musa Muhammadu.
Also, the Independent Corrupt Practices and other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) has been asked to look into the financial books of Governor Aliyu and some officials of his government. In a petition, Sheik Ibrahim Yusuf said that there is a “mass looting, abuse of office and flagrant disregard to public financial regulations” in the state. The petition is dated November 4, 2008.
Indeed, documentary evidence attached to the petition before the House is revealing. The governor, for instance, is alleged to have paid N500 million as rent for an official lodge. A memo from the office of the chief of staff to the governor to Governor Aliyu on this, which was dated January 18, 2008, reads: “Sequel to our discussion on the official residential accommodation of your humble self, you are requested to consider the release of N500m for the payment of rent for two years at N250m per fiscal year.”
The governor gave approval to this request the same day. The question many people in the state are asking is: What type of accommodation costs a whopping N250 million per year in Minna, Niger State?
Expenses made on security and other government activities also raise some eyebrows. In July 2008, for example, the total some of 400 million was requested and disbursed in eight days. Indeed, on July 2, a letter from the office of the chief of staff to the governor, requested the approval for the release of N100 million for “Government House activities and general security.” The memo to that effect read: “Mr. Governor, sir, kindly consider and approve the release of N100m for Government House .....Read More..activities and general security matter. Above is submitted for your kind approval. Read more.http://www.sunnewsonline.com/webpages/news/national/2009/june/27/national-27-06-2009-02.htm
No comments:
Post a Comment