The Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly has suspended the Chairman of Nsit Atai Local Government Council, Emem Ibanga, and that of Uyo, Imo Okon, indefinitely for alleged gross misconduct and administrative inefficiency.
This followed a resolution of the House, read by the Speaker, Aniekan Bassey, after taking reports from Chairman of the House Committee on Judiciary, Human Rights and Public Petitions; Victor Ekwere, and that of Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Mark Esset.
The reports by both committee found the Uyo Council Chairman, guilty of financial mismanagement, refusal to comply with the Governor’s directives on the welfare of council officers and failure to appear before the House Committee on Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs on invitation.
The report against the Nsit Atai Local Government Chairman, was on the grounds of inefficient disbursement of funds appropriated by the House and non release of an official vehicle to the Council’s Vice Chairman, as directed by the House Committee on Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs.
The report further alleged non-disbursement of official benefits to the Vice Chairman and a pending police case, which caused a rift between the Chairman and Councillors, as reason for her suspension.
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The Speaker, Aniekan Bassey said the House resolution was hinged on Section 81 (1) of the Local Government Administration Law (2017) as amended, which says “Where the peaceful functioning of the Local Government or its Council is hindered by protracted crisis, the House of Assembly may, by a resolution passed by a simple majority of all its Members, impose such restrictive measures in the Local Government Area or its Council as the House of Assembly may deem fit.”
Meanwhile, the House has asked the Vice-Chairmen of both councils to take over the running of the respective Councils so as to enable the Committee carry out unbiased and comprehensive investigation.
(Editor: Abaje Usekwe)
