By: Godwin Igber

The Benue State House of Assembly has called on Governor Hyacinth Alia to suspend the Chairman, State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB), Grace Adagba for a period of six months over lack of accountability and transparency.

The lawmakers equally directed the Special Adviser, Bureau for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Denen Aondoakaa to immediately stop the release of funds to the Board, pending compliance with the house’s demand.

Moving the motion, Member representing Katsina-Ala West, and Chief Whip, Bemdoo Ipusu, explained that the SUBEB Chairman has deliberately refused to honour the invitation of the House Committee that embarked on a State-wide verification of contracts awarded by the State Government, including the activities of the board.

“The Ad Hoc Committee has extended several invitations to the Executive Chairman Benue State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB), however, she declined to appear before the Committee without any satisfactory explanation.

“In one of her letter she had clearly stated that the House has no right to investigate contracts from the Board. It has therefore become very clear that, she is deliberately hindering the House from carrying out its constitutional mandate of oversight,” he stated.

Member representing Makurdi South, Douglas Akya who seconded the motion said the leadership of SUBEB under Adagba has refused to be accountable and transparent in dealing with the public funds allocated to the Board.

Commenting, other lawmakers including Elias Audu of Gwer East Constituency, Abu Umoru of Apa and Thomas Dugeri of Kwande West, all expressed dissatisfaction over what they described as the leadership misconduct by Adagba, insisting that that the new nominees by the government should be subjected to retreat when appointed in their various positions.