From Abubakar Abdullahi, in Lafia
The Nasarawa State House of Assembly has suspended the screening of the immediate past Commissioner for Environment Yakubu kwanta over his failure to appear before the House committee on Environment to defend the ministry’s 2024 budget performance when he served as commissioner of the ministry.
The Lawmakers also cited his failure to appear before the House on invitation describing it as a total act of insubordination to an institution that screened and confirmed him as a commissioner for two consecutive times.
It would be recalled that the Assembly had summoned Yakubu Kwanta during his stewardship as the Commissioner of Environment and Natural Resources, over his failure to appear before the committee of the House on Environment to defend his ministry’s 2024 Budget Performance.
The House said the Commissioner had exhibited high level of insubordination as well as undermining the powers and integrity of the House.
Speaker Jatau who then issued the summon said the Commissioner must appear before the House unfailingly on Monday December the 16th 2024, but the Ex-commissioner ignored summon.
Speaker of the State House of Assembly, Danladi Jatau announced the stepping down of the screening when member representing Keana Constituency and Chairman House Committee on Environment Muhammed Adamu Omadefu raised the issue during the screening of Commissioner nominees at the Assembly complex in Lafia.
The Speaker said that the House would only consider him for the screening, if he sent strong apology letter to the House over his act of indiscipline and insubordination to the House when he was a commissioner of Ministry of Environment.
Suspension of Kwanta screening followed his appearance along side 7 others among the 16 commissioner nominees of Governor Abdullahi Sule.
The Assembly Speaker said the house would not allow any government official to undermine the powers of the House.
“Hon Yakubu Kwanta should send strong apology latter to the House over his action when he served as commissioner before we will think of considering him or not for the screening” the speaker said.
Earlier, Mohammed Adamu Omadefu, the Chairmen, House Committee on Housing and Environment under point of order cited various constitutional provisions that banned a nominee to appear in the hallowed Chamber for screening.
” Hon Speaker and my Honourable colleagues, the nominee, Yakubu Kwanta, the immediate past Commissioner for Environment during our oversight functions, he failed to appear before our committee to defend his ministry budget.
” For his failure to appear before this House to explain why he failed to defend his ministry’s budget performance., he should tender strong apology before we consider him to appear in this hallowed chamber for screening”
On their parts, Mohammed Garba Isimbabi, Hon Ajegana Jacob Kudu and Hudu A Hudu also supported the submission of Hon Omadefu and called for apology from Yakubu Kwanta in order to safe the integrity of the House.
They said that for Kwanta to failed to appear to defend his ministry budget, he has disrespected not only the committee but the entire House stressing no individual can be greater or allow to undermined the institution.
However, the House, has screened 7 out of the 16 commissioner nominees submitted by Gov. Abdullahi Sule on Feb.10. for approval as Members of the State Executive Council.
The Speaker congratulated the nominees and urged them to discharge their duties with the fear of God, if finally confirmed and sworn in as members of the State Executive Council.
“We hereby screened Hon Umar Tanko Tunga from Awe LGA, Dr John DW Mamman from Kokona LGA, Hajiya Munirat Abdullahi from Doma LGA, Mr Gabriel Agbashi from Doma LGA, Barr Isaac Danladi from Karu LGA, Princess Margret Itaki Elayo from Keana LGA and Dr Ibrahim Tanko from Keffi LGA.
Earlier, the Majority Leader of the House, Hon. Suleiman Yakubu Azara (APC-Awe North) moved a motion for the screening of the commissioner nominees which was seconded by the House Minority Leader, Hon. Luka Zhekaba (PDP- Obi 11).
The House unanimously screened 7 commissioner nominees after lawmakers from their various constituencies gave good testimonies in favour of the nominees to add value to the governance of the state.
