It’s normal to demand pilgrimage seats – Dep Speaker, A serving sole administrator in one of the 23 local governments of Kaduna State has raised the alarm over the alleged extortion of monthly allocation by the members of the Kaduna State Assembly.
According to the sole administrator, who does not want his name in print, the lawmakers are also demanding that the local governments sponsor 10 slots for them in Christian and Muslim pilgrimage trips to the holy land in spite of the state government’s efforts in that direction.
But in his reaction, the deputy speaker, Kaduna State Assembly, Dr. Dogara Mato, admitted that lawmakers actually made demands for pilgrimage seats, but he denied the extortion of the councils. The issue has been table before the anti-graft agencies and the state governor, Patrick Ibrahim Yakowa.
LEADERSHIP gathered that the members had insisted that the caretaker chairmen awards main contracts in the councils to them and to also give them all employment slots.
Yakowa was said to have expressed shock when he learnt of the incident.
According to him, “Every month, almost every local government gives half a million to all House of Assembly members from their council. Aside that, the lawmakers are the main contractors at the councils, and they always insist that they be given virtually all slots of employments, and other official allocation coming to the councils, which are supposed to be handled within the purview of bringing about socio-economic development of the people. I am challenging them to come out and deny these allegations.
“Imagine; they are insisting that the LGAs carry public funds and give them ten slots, five for Jerusalem and five seats to Mecca. If we do all these biddings, how can we pay salaries? With what are we going to work?
“I want the educated constituents of Kaduna State to know all these shady deals. If they have succeeded with other LGA bosses in the past, let the people mobilize and stop. Everyone knows that the House of Assembly has its own budget and enjoying juicy welfare packages. How can they still be hijacking public funds meant for development,” the anonymous LG boss queried.
“Let the EFCC, ICPC, SSS and others come to the root of the allegations and do justice, and confirm if it is not true,” he asserted.
Responding to the allegations, the Deputy Speaker Mato acknowledges that there were some demand for pilgrimage but denied the alleged extortion of the local governments’ fund.
“I can tell you on authority that there is no iota of truth or evidence that any member of the House collects that amount from any Local Government Council. We will appreciate if Local Government Chairmen publish the monthly cheques, or voucher numbers, or any evidence linked to that payment.?
“Also if members are getting contracts from Local Governments Council, we dare the Chairmen to please make public the name of the companies involved, the owners of the company, the amount of the contract and other details. There is an attempt to rubbish this House of Assembly by some actors not happy with the stability of this government and the improved peace we are enjoying,” Mato stated.
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