The Benue State House of Assembly has released the names of two ad-hoc committees set up to investigate alleged indiscriminate garnishee orders against government accounts and the procurement activities of local government council chairmen in the state.
The five-member committee on garnishee orders is chaired by the House Majority Leader, Hon. Bemdoo Peter Ipusu. Other members are Rt. Hon. Abu Umoru James, Hon. Kennedy Agbogo Angbo, Hon. Dr. Simon Gabo and Hon. Dr. Matthew Damkor, with Wandoo Aondona Esq. serving as secretary. The panel is expected to examine the circumstances surrounding the garnishee orders and related issues concerning judgment debts against the state and local government councils.
The second committee, which will probe procurement activities by local government council chairmen, particularly the recent purchase of vehicles, is chaired by Rt. Hon. Cephas Dyako. Its members are Hon. Solomon Gyila, Hon. Dr. Elias Audu, Hon. Samuel Ismaila Agada and Hon. Emmanuel Shimawua Emmanuel, while Mr Alfred Ode will serve as secretary. The committee is mandated to review the procurement processes adopted by the councils and ascertain compliance with the Benue State Public Procurement Law, 2020, covering due process, competitive bidding, cost, specifications, supplier selection, approvals and value for money.
Speaker of the House, Rt. Hon. Berger Alfred Emberga, directed both committees to begin work immediately and submit their findings to the House within two weeks for further legislative action.
