Nasarawa Local Governments Insolvency: PDP Chieftain Slams Governor Al-Makura/House Of Assembly Over The Appointment Of IMC Members

Rabiu Omaku

A staunch supporter of the opposition party, the People’s Democratic Party has slammed the governor of Nasarawa state, Umaru Tanko Al-Makura for the appointment of 147 members of the Interim Management Committee of the thirteen local governments of the state.

Hon. Jacob Ogiri, who was a contender for the state chairmanship position in contender in the just concluded congresses of the PDP that ushered in the new crop of state executives of the PDP, gave the hint while reacting over the predicaments faced by local government workers in the state.

The politician said the appointment was an additional financial burden on the local government system in the state considering the financial background of the third tier of government following the drop in oil price.

Jacob Ogiri (Mai Mashi) hinted this during the distribution of 14 units of KEKE NAPEP, 400 units of grinding machines and sewing machines by the current member of the federal House of Representatives Hon.Muhammed Ogoshi Onawo representing Awe, Doma, Keana federal constituency at his abode in Lafia.

“I totally disagreed with the appointment of 147 members of the Interim Management Committee in the state with the continued percentage payment of workers at the grass root”,

He said the state governor should focus on issues that will salvage workers at the third tier of government instead of adding salt to unhealed injuries; he however maintained that the state was grounded to a halt occasioned by percentage payment to workers at both local government and the state.

“As you can see the entire state has been saturated with industrial actions embarked by the organized labour, our children no longer attend school, our hospitals remain closed, and everything grounded.

Jacob Ogiri blamed the state House of Assembly for accepting the constitution of Interim Management Committee, saying conducting council election would have save the state from unnecessary appointments.

“The thirteen IMC chairmen are to enjoyed a monthly salary of N250,000 monthly each, bringing the money to N3,250,000 while the second category will enjoy N180,000 which he said is approximately 588 members four each from every local government”.

” At least the members representing the entire state will not be less than 1,764 depending on the numbers of electoral wards, for instance Nasarawa local government has 15 members, Lafia has 13 members, Doma has 10 and among others, and for the other category of appointees with at least 1,176 enjoying N150,000 each.

He chastised the Assembly for accepting the state governor’s offer, which he said the state experience incessant divorce cases and death due to hunger perturbed by the governor.

But the state chairman of the ruling All Progressives Congress, Philip Shekwor could not be reach for comment as the chairman did not response to calls at the time of filing this report.