Some Local Government Chairmen allegedly paid sum of N88 million to the National Assembly for awards conferred on them during the “2009 National Award Nite/Dinner for Best Performed Local Government Chairmen in Nigeria” organised by the Senate and House of Representatives Committees on States and Local Governments.
The row trailing the N88 million allegedly paid by council chiefs to the National Assembly for awards conferred on them deepened yesterday as the House of Representatives mandated its Committee on Ethics and Privileges to probe the matter.
The “2009 National Award Nite/Dinner for Best Performed Local Government Chairmen in Nigeria“, was organised by the Senate and House of Representatives Committees on States and Local Governments in conjunction with their consultants, Sevlip Promoters Nig. Limited and Achievers Event Management Nig. Limited.
The directive to investigate the alleged payment followed a matter of privilege raised by Hon. Samaila Mohammed at the House’s sitting.
Mohammed said the report that the council chiefs paid N88 million for the award conferred on them by a committee of the House breached his privilege.
The Plateau State-born lawmaker said he was concerned since the issue bothered on alleged corrupt practices.
He urged the House to take the issue seriously to clear any doubts that might have been harboured by Nigerians.
Deputy Speaker Usman Nafada, who presided over the sitting, said he also read the report.
He mandated the House Committee on Ethics and Privileges to investigate the matter.
The council chiefs allegedly paid N800, 000 for the production of awardees citation.