The committee set up by the Niger State House of Assembly to investigate contract financing loans of 25 local government councils has recommended the suspension of 15 of the chairmen.

This is to pave the way for smooth and unhindered access by the committee members to enable them to discharge their duties diligently.

Presenting the report during the plenary on Wednesday, the chairman of the committee, Abdulmalik Madaki, said the affected chairmen were those of Mokwa, Gbako, Suleja, Gurara, Tafa, Paikoro, Bosso, Agwara, Borgu, Kontagora, Wushishi, Magama, Mashegu, Mariga and Rijau.

Mr Madaki added that the action was also in line with section 90 subsection one a b and c of local governments 2001 as amended.

He alleged that most of the suspended local government councils chairmen had collected the loan without following due process, which he said was unacceptable.

Mr Mdaki said, “the problem had added extra burden for the smooth running of local governments in the state.”

He added that the deduction of N8 million from each local government council for loan repayment be suspended.

This was due to the ministry’s failure for local governments to obtain house resolution as provided in section 97 sub-section 1 of local government councils law 2001 as amended. 

(NAN)