BY Vivian Chime
The Benue house of assembly has approved the suspension of all the 23 local government chairpersons in the state over allegations of financial misappropriation.
According to NAN, the house made the decision on Wednesday during plenary, following a letter by Hyacinth Alia, governor of the state, requesting an investigation into the incomes and expenditures of the state’s LGAs chairpersons.
Alia had informed the house on June 14 that he received a report on the extravagance of the chairpersons and wanted them investigated.
An inquiry committee which was set up found the outright disregard of procedures and mismanagement of local government funds by the chairpersons.
The committee recommended the immediate suspension of the chairpersons and the legislative councils for conniving with the executive to mismanage public funds put in their trust.
The house unanimously agreed that the chairpersons be suspended to enable further investigation without interference.
Aondona Dajoh, the speaker of the assembly, directed the chairpersons to hand over the affairs of the LGAs, and government properties in their possession, — including official vehicles — to the directors-general, services and administration (DGSAs) with immediate effect.
He also directed the state commissioner of police to ensure a seamless takeover at the various local government council headquarters.
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