Plateau Assembly Summons Commissioners Over Alleged Contempt

The Plateau State House of Assembly on Thursday summoned three commissioners to appear before it at its next sitting.

The commissioners, who are expected to respond to charges of contempt against the house, include commissioners?of finance, water resources and chieftaincy and Local Government affairs.

The assembly had accused the?commissioners?of negligence in the discharge of their duties and refusal to answer summons of?house committees?carrying out oversight functions on?ministries.

The Speaker, Mr John Dabwan, who issued the summons in Jos, said that the refusal of the commissioners to honour the invitation was “sheer contempt’’.

A member of the house,? Hon. Gondina Sambo, had in a motion of urgent public importance, which received unanimous support of members, accused the three officers of rebuffing summons of?various committees.

“The three commissioners have consistently frustrated efforts of the committees in carrying out their oversight functions by refusing to answer summons.

“The commissioners for finance and water resources should be summoned to answer questions concerning the eight?billion naira loan facility?approved for the rehabilitation of the water sector in the Jos-Bukuru metropolis.

“The eight?billion naira loan?facility has been accessed by these functionaries but no rehabilitation work has been done in the metropolis. ’’?

The lawmakers?also resolved to invite the commissioner for Local Government and chieftaincy affairs to explain why statutory allocations to?Local Governments for?June and July had not been released.

Also to appear before the assembly is the Chairman of the Plateau State Independent Electoral Commission?who is expected to explain delays in the conduct of Local Government polls.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the assembly in May, approved an N8 billion loan facility for?the government, to be sourced through?Zenith Bank for the rehabilitation of the water sector.

The Commissioner for Water Resources, Mr Idi Waziri, had explained that the loan would be used to replace pipelines in the Jos-Bukuru metropolis and other villages around the city.?

He said that two reservoirs and a water treatment plant were also to be built in the metropolis and along the Etobaba area of Jos. (NAN)