The Legislative Arm of Karu Local Government Area in Nasarawa State has called for a comprehensive investigation into the activities of revenue consultants hired by the Chairman of Karu Local Government Council, James Thomas
The consultants were entrusted with the harmonisation and collection of revenue within the Council.
However, the LG lawmakers made the call for an investigation following alleged gross irregularities in the revenue generation process.
They made the call during a plenary session on Monday, where a 7-man committee, chaired by Bwaje Simon Iyakwari, councillor, representing Karu Ward 1, submitted a preliminary report highlighting the alleged gross irregularities.
The Committee, established in February 2021 to oversee revenue generation activities, cited “gross inadequacies, inconsistencies, and lack of transparency” in the Council’s revenue drive, accusing the consultants and the Council of an unprecedented breach of contract.
Bwaje Simon Iyakwari, the committee chairman, stated the urgency of decisive action, asserting that failing to act could result in the depletion of the Council’s hard-earned revenue and funds by a few individuals.
“Posterity will never forgive us if we fold our hands and watch a few individuals bleed the Council dry of its hard-earned revenue and funds,” Iyakwari said.
The committee’s report outlined specific areas of concern, including the need to ascertain the responsible parties for Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) collection in Karu Local Government Area, the committee urged an examination of the Council’s treasury status since the beginning of the present administration and a thorough review of the Memorandum of Understanding between the Council and the engaged consultants.
In a resolution presented to the House, the committee proposed a comprehensive overhaul of the Council’s revenue sector in accordance with the Local Government Administrative By-law in Nigeria (3:1:3, section IIIc) and Section VII, Subsection I of the Nasarawa State Local Government Law 2018, as amended.
The committee further implored the House to direct Council Chairman, James Thomas to dissolve all consultants within 48 hours, pending a thorough investigation and adherence to due processes, while proposing the immediate establishment of a 7-man independent panel, with input from the Department of State Service (DSS), to audit all technical partners (consultants) engaged by the Council.
During this period, the Department of Finance and Supplies was recommended to take over revenue collection activities until the investigation’s conclusion.
The 7-man House Committee consists of Victor T. Yekpwi, Philip Ibrahim, Adama Bawa, Christopher Bako, and Steven Mbanua, with Abubakar Adamu serving as Secretary.
