The House of Representatives, on Thursday July 14, commenced probe of 27 state governments over the application of N689.5bn bailout funds granted them.
The decision was taken at the plenary session presided over by Speaker, Yakubu Dogara after Hon. Sunday Karimi, sponsored the adoption of a motion of urgent public importance.
Karimi, in the motion, claimed that information at his disposal indicated that most of the beneficiary states lodged the funds in accounts instead of clearing arrears of workers, which it was primarily meant for.
Karimi listed some of the debtor states as Abia, Benue, Ekiti, Kwara, Osun, Delta, Niger, Ogun, Nasarawa, Plateau and Kogi, which he particularly noted, is owing more than seven months despite a fresh N20 billion grant.
The lawmaker argued that several states have been indicted of alleged misapplication of the funds following a recent report by the Public Enlightenment Department of the Independent Corrupt Practices and other related Offences Commission (ICPC).
An adhoc committee was constituted to investigate the states and is expected to submit its report within four weeks. The panel is also mandated to ascertain the necessity for further disbursements as being considered by the Federal Government.
