Members of the Niger State House of Assembly are set to commence a probe of the Executive, over financial excesses.
Members of the Assembly said they have observed with concern that the Executive Council has been spending money outside budgetary allocation, and without following due process.
Raising a Motion of Public Importance, the Member Representing Bosso Constituency, Madaki Bosso, noted that the Ministry of Works has expended two billion Naira outside the appropriated law.
Madaki Bosso queried that the Ministry of Sports and Youths Development has also spent three hundred and sixty million Naira, while the Ministry of Justice has spent four hundred and fifty million Naira, outside of the 2020 budget.
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The lawmaker maintained that the spendings made by the ministries were not authorized by the House of Assembly through supplementary law, as required, under Section 120, sub-section (2) of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, as amended.
The lawmaker further added that, if the executive arm spends monies unconstitutionally when the state government has an option to bring a Supplementary Appropriation Bill, there may be more to it.
He said section 120, sub-sections (2 and 3), stipulated that ‘No money shall be withdrawn from any public fund of the state, other than the Consolidated Revenue Fund of the state unless the issue of those monies has been authorized by the Law of the State House of Assembly.
Bosso asked his colleagues to invite the relevant officials of the ministries to appear before it, to explain their actions, which are contrary to the constitution.
The House adopted the prayer of the Member and resolved to invite the Commissioners for Finance, Planning Commission, Sports, and Youths Development, as well as Justice to appear before it on Wednesday, next week.
Editor: Paul Akhagbemhe
