Members of the Abia State House of Assembly have expressed dismay at government parastatals that are
owing their staff wages running into months despite receiving monthly subventions from the state
government, generating revenues without remitting any
amount to the coffers of the state.
Moving a motion of Urgent Public Importance for the
House to investigate the activities of some agencies of
the Abia State Government, the Majority Leader, Solomon
Akpulonu, lamented the level of corruption in some of the
parastatals especially ABSU, AbiaPoly, Health
Management Board, BCA, School of Health among others
and called on the House to investigate the operations and
finances of these institutions with a view to stemming the
ugly tide and not hesitate to wield the big stick where
necessary, no matter who is found wanting.
Speaking further, Akpulonu who represents Obingwa East
State Constituency said, “Some of these institutions
operate up to 20 accounts without being accountable.
For example, Abia State Polytechnic has up to 20
accounts that empty into private pockets. Mr Speaker,
some of these agencies of Government generate monies
but all the funds go into private accounts. We must call
them to give account”.
Supporting the motion, Deputy Leader of the House, Hon.
Paul Taribo, said, “This matter is very important. I have
discovered that among Heads of these agencies of
government, there are bitter
in fightings among management staff, and you ask, what
are they fighting for? Nothing else other than how to
embezzle the money that is supposed to be used to run
these Institutions and pay their workers’ salaries. We can
no longer continue to fold our hands here thinking that all
will be well by itself. We have to act now!”.
Hon. Godwin Adiele, Hon. Jerry Uzosike, Hon. Ginger
Onwusibe, Hon. Emeka Okoroafor, all Members representing Ukwa West, Umuahia South, Isiala Ngwa
North and Isuikwuato state constituencies respectively, and the Deputy Speaker, Rt. Hon. Ifeanyi Uchendu, all aligned themselves to the motion and
wondered why these institutions which generate
revenues they neither pay into government coffers nor
account for because of the non-interference of the
executive in their operations, still receive subventions yet, find it difficult to pay salaries of their staff.
They therefore urged the House to treat the issue decisively and bring to book anyone that might have compromised themselves.
Ruling on the matter, the Speaker, Rt Hon Chinedum Orji,agreed with the submissions of his colleagues, saying,“there is no better time to stop this menace of revenue leakages and non-payment of salaries to staff by management of these institutions.”
The committees to carry out the investigations were
announced as follows:
Committee to Investigate the operations of ABSU, Abia
State College of Education (Technical), Arochukwu
(ASCETA)
Hon. Kennedy Njoku – Chairman
Hon. Taribo Paul – Member
Hon Kelechi Onuzuruike –Member
Emeka Otumchere – Secretary
Committee to Investigate Abia State Polytechnic
(AbiaPoly), Aba
Hon Jerry Uzosike – Chairman
Hon Chijioke Chukwu – Member
Pastor Mike Ugochukwu – Secretary
Committee to Investigate School Of Health, Aba
Barr Emeka Okoroafor- Chairman
Hon Stanley Nwabuisi – Member
Hon Godwin Adiele – Member
Hon Nnamdi Allen- Member
Amaka Ukwu-Rocks – Secretary
Committee to Investigate Broadcasting Corporation of
Abia (BCA), Umuahia.
Hon Ginger Onwsuibe – Chairman
Hon Chijioke Chukwu- Member
Mr Kingsley Alozie – Secretary
While reminding the committees that Abians were looking up to them to end the disturbing cycle of non-payment of
salaries occasioned by corrupt practices by management of the institutions, the Speaker said the process has jus begun and that it is going to be a continued one.
