Abakaliki- The Ebonyi House of Assembly on Tuesday ordered the dissolution of the newly appointed 13 Local Government Caretaker Committees and 28 Development Centre Coordinators.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the House also ordered that the reconstituted boards of the state’s Local Government
Service Commission, Universal Basic Education Board and Secondary Education Board be dissolved immediately.
The Speaker of the House, Chief Chukwuma Nwazunku, said that the appointment of the caretaker committees and coordinators were unconstitutional.
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“This House also orders the immediate dissolution of the reconstituted boards of the State Local Government Service Commission, Universal Basic Education Board, Secondary Education Board among others.
“We are not against the governor making appointments but what we are contending is that the appointments did not pass though the constitutional House screening.
“The governor, after this dissolution, can still re-appoint them and present them for screening,” he said.
Nwazunku also said the governor should submit to the House all financial details of the federal allocation, internally generated revenue and all funds accruable to the state from Jan. 1 to Dec. 31, 2014.
“The dissolved caretaker committees should submit all relevant government’s documents in their possession to the Heads of Personnel Management (HPM) before close of work on Tuesday while the governor should submit the financial details before Jan. 9.
“We are also inviting the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Independent Corrupt Practices Commission (ICPC) and other anti-graft agencies to investigate all financial details.
“The state Commissioner of Police should also ensure that all government properties at the disposal of the affected persons are recovered and protected,” he said.
The motion for the dissolution of the caretaker committee was moved by Chief Obasi Odefa (PDP- Onicha East) and seconded by Mr Chris Usulor (PDP-Ezza South).
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Their colleagues, Frank Onwe (Ohaukwu North) and Ogbonnia Nwifuru (Izzi-West), moved the motion for the submission of the financial details.
The House also rejected a letter sent to it by the governor demanding the downward review of the 2015 budget submitted to it.
NAN reports that most of the members loyal to the governor present at the plenary did not put up any resistance except Mrs Helen Nwaobashi (PDP-Abakaliki-South).
But in a swift reaction, the governor through his Chief Press Secretary, Dr Onyekachi Eni, said that the resolutions of the House were not binding on the executive arm of government.
“Resolutions are not laws but persuasive communication that are advisory in nature and can be either accepted or rejected.
“I call on all those purported to have been removed from office to go about their normal businesses as the House cannot dabble into matters pending before the law court.
“We also call on the people to remain calm as the government will ensure that their rights and welfare are protected at all times,” he said. (NAN)