On Thursday July 14, the House of Representatives set to review the subjects surrounding bailout funds allocated to states by the Federal Government. According to the lawmakers, an ad hoc committee will be set up to investigate the terms and conditions of distribution of the funds, utilization of the funds, level of compliance with targets and determine the necessity of further disbursement as being planned by the Federal Government.
This followed a motion raised under “Matters of Urgent National Importance’’ by Rep. Sunday Karimi, which was solidly accepted by members through a voice vote. Moving the motion, Karimi further said that the need to investigate the disbursement and utilization of the funds was geared toward ensuring the welfare of citizens in the affected states.
He also clarified that the Federal Government approved and distributed N689.5 billion to 27 states in July, 2015, and gave N20 billion to Kogi four months ago. The lawmaker conveyed dismay that many of the beneficiary states had failed to utilize the funds for payment of workers’ salaries and had continued to owe the workers their salaries. “States like Abia, Osun, Bayelsa, Benue, Ekiti, Kwara, Plateau, Oyo, Delta, Niger, Ogun, Nasarawa, Kogi, among others, are still owing workers’ salaries for several months.”
House Leader, Femi Gbajabiamila also backed to the motion, saying that the purpose of the bailout funds was worthy, but that the use appeared to be erroneously done. He said in order to have transparency, the house investigate the matter and should also avoid this same blunder in the next bailout fund.
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