The Legislative Arm of Isoko South Local Government has resolved to work with the Chairman of the Council, Sir Victor Asasa towards ensuring accelerated growth and development in the locality.
The Councillors in a resolution during Tuesday’s plenary presided over by the Leader of the House, Hon Othuke Arovah, said the relationship between the Executive and the Legislative arm is cordial and will continue to work as a team for the general good of the people of Isoko South Local Government Area.
The resolution followed the adoption of the report of a four-man Adhoc Committee set up by the Leader of the House to investigate alleged financial improprieties and administrative incompetence against the Council Boss by some constituents in a peaceful protest to the council.
Presenting the report of the committee, the Chairman and Councillor representing Igbide ward 7A, Hon Silver Onuje Ewhese, said a public hearing was conducted on the matter where those involved were invited for interrogation.
Hon Ewhese who is the Chairman, House Committee on Information disclosed that while the Council Boss honoured the invitation, the protesters failed to turn up to present their case throughout the period the Adhoc Committee sat.
He said upon investigation, the Committee found that the allegations were false and malicious, stressing that the legislative arm of Isoko South will continue to avoid detractors and sponsored mudslingers.
“Payment of monthly Imprest to First Ladies cut across all the local governments of the state. As we speak there are backlogs of unpaid Imprest to the First Lady of Isoko South.
“The alleged four million naira contract was for year 2022 calendars, local government identification booklets, letterheads and local government receipts and the award followed due process and was duly approved by the Executive arm of the local government council.
“Our further investigation and meeting with the executive arm of the Local government council revealed that the supposedly claim that Mr chairman procured a loan of five million naira without permission is also untrue. The treasurer made it clear that it was accumulated charges and overdrafts of unpaid effects of debts accumulated by previous administrations”, the report stated.
The Councillors said they were proud of the modest achievements so far by the Council despite the paucity of funds to the local government, affirming their irrevocable commitment to peace and development of Isoko South local government area.
They said the protesters misled the public by accusing the Chairman of the Council, Sir Victor Asasa of incompetence, absenteeism, diversion of IGR into private account as well as borrowing without approval from the legislative arm amongst other things.
The Lawmakers commended the Leader of the House, Hon Othuke Arovah for his prompt action over the ugly development, saying that the investigation has laid to rest the false and malicious allegations against the Council Boss.
“As part of the legislative duty of the Isoko South legislative Arm, the Leader of the House, Rt Hon Othuke Arovah, immediately set up a four-man ad hoc committee with the Councillor representing Igbide ward 7A, Hon Silver Onuje Ewhese as Chairman to carry out a thorough investigation on the allegations levelled against the Council Chairman and report its findings as well as make recommendations to the House.
“On interrogation, the chairman debunked the allegations stating that his absence for three weeks was on health grounds which he duly communicated to the authorities of the local government council before proceeding for his medicals”, the report stated.
The motion for the adoption of the report was moved by the Majority Leader, Hon Blessing Emiakumor and unanimously adopted.
The Leader of the House, Hon Othuke Arovah, commended the committee for carrying out the investigation diligently, assuring that the legislative arm of Isoko South will continue to perform its functions in line with provisions of the law.
