Kogi Assembly Kicks As PermSec Fails To Appear For Budget Defence

The Kogi State House of Assembly yesterday re-invited the commissioner for solid minerals to appear before it on Tuesday to defend the 2024 budget estimate.

Also re-invited to appear before the House is the director general, Solid Minerals Development Agency.

The chairman, House Standing Committee on Solid Minerals, Hon. Omotayo Adeleye Ishaya, gave the directive at the assembly complex following the absence of the permanent secretary in the ministry and director general of the agency.

The committee’s vice chairman, Hon. Jibril Abu who is the current lawmaker representing Ajaokuta State constituency, said if Governor  Yahaya Bello could shut down all his engagements to appear before the House to present the state budget, he saw no reason why some heads of MDAs would ignore invitations by House committees to defend their next year’s budget.

“It is a big slap on our faces to see some heads of MDAs ignoring the constituted powers of this  chamber. The number one citizen of Kogi State, Alhaji Yahaya Bello suspended all functions of the state to present the 2024 budget.

“He respected this Assembly because he has a strong belief in the rule of law. But we are very disappointed that some heads of MDAs are undermining our powers by sending their subordinates to defend the budget they have a faint knowledge of. For goodness’ sake, a permanent secretary is a chief accounting officer,” he said.