Kaduna Assembly queries composition of SURE-P committee

[PeoplesDaily]

From Femi Oyelola, Kaduna

The Kaduna State House of Assembly yesterday expressed dismay over the composition of Subsidy Reinvestment and Empowerment Program (SURE-P)committee just as the state executive council are on each other's throat over the implementation and composition of members of the state.

While receiving the report of its Ad-hoc committee on investigation into the implementation of SURE-P programmes, projects and activities in Kaduna State, the House yesterday expressed dismay that government officials dominate the committee which makes the implementation of the programme too cumbersome as a result of bureaucratic bottlenecks now retarding the progress of the whole exercise.

The Chairman of the Ad-hoc Committee, Barrister Kantiok Irimiya Ishaku informed the House that the actual receipts by the Kaduna State Government of its share of revenue from Subsidy Reduction for the Year 2012 stand at N2,243,188,906.24 at a monthly rate of N280,398,613.28 from May to December, 2012.

"No receipts for the months of January – March, 2012 and no mention was made with regards to the Month of April, 2012. However, a lump sum of N560million was said to have been received with no further details," the report stated.

In view of the above, the House adopted the recommendation by the ad-hoc committee that henceforth, the implementation committee of the SURE-P be composed of technocrats and people of proven integrity

selected from the three senatorial zones of the state of not more than eleven members.

The House also recommended that a dedicated account be opened in commercial banks where the SURE-P funds would be lodged. And the implementation of all SURE-P programmes, projects, activities and all expenditure related thereto, be subject to approval of the State Executive Council.

The Speaker of the House, Alhaji Muazu Usman Gangara, said the House views the conduct of the former Commissioner of Finance, John Ayuba for failing to provide necessary information requested on the SURE-P program by the House, as disrespectful.

In view of this, the House passed a vote of no confidence on him and requested his successor to immediately furnish the House with the said documents.

"Any movement of funds by Government from Capital to Recurrent must be through virement approved by the House. And the implementation committee do ensure that elected representatives at all levels be involved in the process of identifying beneficiaries for the SURE-P programmes."

The House further ordered that since the SURE-P funds used were for 2012, the procured items be labelled '2012 SURE-P Kaduna State' and not 2013 as presently inscribed.

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