The House of Representatives has called for the investigation of the enforcement and utilization of the Four Hundred Billion Naira (N400,000,000,000) bailout fund disbursed by the Federal Government to certain States. Moving the Motion under matters of urgent public importance at the plenary session of July 14th 2016, Hon. Sunday Steve Karimi (APC: Kogi) expressed concerns over the inability of these States to meet its financial obligations towards its workers. For instance, Hon. Karimi stated that in Kogi State, although the State benefitted from the funds, it still owes its workers salary arrears of seven (7) months. He said he was dismayed that these funds might have been diverted for other use rather than the intended purpose.
Hon. Nnanna Igbokwe (PDP:Imo) speaking in support of the Motion stated that it can be implied from the provisions of section Sections 164 and 80 (4) of the 1999 Constitution (as amended) that the National Assembly should have fore-knowledge and consent to the approval of the terms and conditions before disbursement of these funds. Furthermore, Speaker Hon. Yakubu Dogara, (APC: Bauchi) stated that the funds were expended by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) and it would be apt to determine if the CBN violated the provisions of its Act before any investigation can be carried out.
It could be recalled that the approval and disbursement of the funds was based on the CBN’s decision to collaborate with relevant stakeholders to consider ways of liquidating the outstanding staff salaries owed by the States and Local Governments.
