From Esther Akaa, Lafia
The Nasarawa State House of Assembly has begun its inquiry into the alleged sale of public properties across the country by the previous administration.
The Voice earlier reported that State House of Assembly constituted a 9 man Ad-hoc committee to investigate the alleged sale of the state liaison office, which located in Lagos and other state government properties across the country by the then administration of Senator Umaru Al-Makura.
The 9- Man Ad-hoc Committee arrived Lagos on Thursday and moved to the Nasarawa State Liaison office located at plot 1234 Bishop Oluwole, Victoria Island, Lagos State.
The Chairman of the committee, Hon. Larry Ven -Bawa who led other members inspected the entire structure of two blocks of two story building with many rooms, a boys quarters, cafeteria, swimming pool and other facilities.
The team also met with some citizens of the state residence in Lagos under the aegis of Nasarawa State Development Association, Lagos chapter where they had a comprehensive interaction.
Speaking during the meeting, Hon. Ven- Bawa , explained that the leadership of the State Assembly had earlier appointed them as committee members to investigate the alleged sales of the building by the past administration of Governor Umar Tanko Al-Makura following the recent protest against the sales in Lagos.
“We are here as directed by Rt. Hon Ibrahim Balarabe Abdullahi the Speaker, this was based on our resolutions during the House proceedings to investigate alleged sales of state government properties in Lagos and other states by the then Administration of Umaru Tanko Al-Makura.
“To find out the real cause of the protest by our citizens in Lagos , see the building, know your conditions and situations, especially those arrested as well as investigate actually if the building was sold, who buy it, where is the transaction process and where is the money, was it deposited to the government coffer or not,” he said.
The committee chairman advised them against any further protest saying that the State Assembly will thoroughly investigate the matter as well as other government properties in other states.
Ven-Bawa noted that Nasarawa State like every other States need to have liaison office in Lagos.
He emphasised that the protest has dent on the image of the State before the outside world hence the reason to calm them down just as he tasked them to remain good ambassadors of the State.
Contributing, the Majority Leader of the House Hon. Muhammed Omadefu said the 5th Assembly had passed a resolution granting the request of the then Governor, Senator Al-Makura for the sales of the property.
Omadefu explained that the 5th Assembly was informed that the building was a shadow of itself decaying and wasting away with no one occupying, but did not know some citizens of the state were still occupying the building.
He, however, said that since then the House did not get any feed back on whether it was sold or not and what was the process, not to talk of weather the money was channeled to Government coffers and besides there was know budget provision for it.
On his part, President of Nasarawa State Development Association, Lagos chapter Alh Musa Ikushigya appreciated the visit by the lawmakers, saying that it has given them hope and relief.
Ikushigya said that Security operatives had already given an order asking them to evacuate the building with immediate effect to enable new occupants use it.
The president however said that the union was not aware of any buyer and no quit notice was given to them to evacuate the structure.
He said that the building had been the headquarters of Nasarawa people in Lagos where they hold their quarterly meetings.
Speaking in an interview, some of the occupants, Ismaila Ogah from Doma Local Government Area ( LGA) and Sunday Alizi from Nassarawa Eggon LG appealed to the state government to carryout renovation of the building and provide them with adequate security in order to protect them from all forms of attacks.
