Rabiu Omaku
The Local Government Joint Accounts Committee in Nasarawa State has resolved to investigate the activities of Ministries, Departments and Agencies such as the Nasarawa State Universal Basic Education Board, Pension Bureau and the Primary Health Care Development Agency and MDA’s making contributions for salaries of LG staff under. The Commissioner For Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Haruna Osegba started this on during JAC meeting in Lafia.
He said the essence of constituting an investigative panel of JAC was aimed at sanitising the system in order to end percentage payments of LG staff.
The Commissioner maintained that the meeting keeps on approving monies to State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB), Primary Health Care Development Agency (PHCDA) and Pension Bureau without accountability from management of the MDAs.
He explained that there are funds released to SUBEB and PHCDA for Primary School Teachers and health workers without any explanation as to the salary strength among others.
“We also approved funds to the Pension Bureau for payments of monthly Pension of retirees but no commensurate details of the funds by the beneficiaries.
“Nobody has ever informed us that some pensioners have died and their names were remove from pension and make refund of excess money instead they keep on including names “.
He described the situation as unfortunate that LG staffs are still being paid between 70 to 80 percent of their April salaries.
Similarly, Ayuba Wandai,Chairman All Local Government of Nigeria and Abdullahi Adeka,Nigeria Labour Congress Chairman accused the MDAs for lack of transparency in their activities.
The duo said the Auditor-General should investigate their activities and report in the next JAC meeting.
Responding, Auditor-General, Idris Danladi said his office had carried out audit of these office in the past as required by law.
He therefore called on the affected MDAs to collaborate with him for the success of the assignment.