THE BENUE State House of Assembly has constituted an ad-hoc committee to investigate the increasing garnishee orders against the accounts of the state government and local government councils.
The lawmakers took the decision following a motion moved by the Majority Leader, Mr Peter Ipusu, on Thursday in Makurdi. Ipusu raised concerns over the effect of garnishee orders on governance and development across the state.
He said that the government activities were funded through the Federal Allocation Account Committee (FAAC), special allocations, Value Added Tax (VAT), Internally Generated Revenue (IGR), aid and grants, as well as transfers from the Consolidated Revenue Fund (CRF) to the Consolidated Development Fund (CDF).
He noted that these revenue sources were essential for financing recurrent and capital expenditure in line with approved budgets and warned that indiscriminate garnishee orders could undermine the government’s ability to meet its financial obligations and execute development programmes.
The majority leader alleged that some government officials might be conniving with contractors to obtain garnishee orders against government accounts.
He described such a practice as unpatriotic and detrimental to effective administration at both state and local government levels.
Contributing to the debate, Dr Matthew Damkor (APC/Tiev) said that garnishee orders were affecting development.
Also, Mr Abu Umoro (APC/Apa) called for the invitation of the Director of Garnishee to explain the circumstances surrounding the orders.
Umoro expressed concern that there could be collusion to obtain government funds through garnishee proceedings.
Mr Terna Shimawua (APC/Kyan) described the alleged practice as an act of sabotage.
Meanwhile, Mr William Ortyom (PDP/Agasha) urged caution in attributing the development to conspiracy.
He argued that government should honour its contractual obligations to minimise situations in which contractors were compelled to seek court orders for payment.
Mr Kennedy Angbo (APC/Otukpo-Akpa) called on the committee to conduct a thorough investigation to uncover suspicious dealings surrounding garnishee orders in the state.
Agbo expressed concern about the monetary jurisdiction of lower courts in Benue.
He noted that certain lower courts in jurisdictions such as Lagos, Kaduna and the Federal Capital Territory had limits on the amount they could order through garnishee proceedings.
Ruling, the Speaker, Mr Alfred Emberga, constituted an ad-hoc committee to investigate the garnishee orders and determine the status of judgement debts against the state and local government councils.
Emberga said that the committee comprised Ipusu as chairman, Umoro, Angbo, Damkor and Mr Simon Gabo as members, with Mrs Wandoo Aondoana as secretary.
He gave the committee 14 days to submit its report. (NAN)
