Nasarawa Assembly On Oversight Function, Chides State Information Ministry For Overspending
The Chairman, Nasarawa State House of Assembly Committee on Information, Hon Mohammed Adamu Omadefu, has frowned at what he described as overspending by the State Ministry of Information, Culture and Tourism going by the 2022 budget.
Adamu Omadefu (APC-Keana), stated this when the State Commissioner for Information, Culture and Tourism, Hon Yakubu Lawal led management of the ministry to appear before the committee on its 2022 budget performance assessment today (July 19, 2022) in Lafia.
Omadefu, who expressed dismay over the spending by the ministry, called on the ministry to adhere strictly to budgetary provisions in the interest of peace and for the overall development of the State.
He assured of the committee’s readiness to partner with the executive arm in order to boost information dissemination as well as culture and tourism in the State.
Omadefu said that the importance of information in societal development could not be overemphasized, hence the committee’s readiness to partner the State Government in that direction.
“I want to call on you to desist from over-spending as it is an offence since the over-spending by the ministry was done without an approval,” he said.
“The exerice is not to witchunt anybody but it is to ensure that the right things are done by your ministry,” he said.
Omadefu also called on MDAs to respect the laws establishing them for the overall development of the State.
”I want to call on the office of the SSG and others to allow the State Ministry of Information, Culture and Tourism to manage hotels, particularly, Blue Spring Hotel, Abuja and other hotels in the State,” he added.
Omadefu further assured the ministry of their support to enable them succeed.
Earlier, the State Commissioner for Information, Culture and Tourism, Hon Yakubu Lawal appreciated the committee for always supporting the activities of the ministry to succeed.
The Commissioner commended the good working relationship between the executive and legislative arms of government in the state.
He added that the good relationship had given room for speedy development across the State.
The Commissioner re-assured of the ministry’s continued determination to boost information, culture and tourism in the State.
He however, told the committee that Nasarawa Luxury Hotel, Lafia is under Nasarawa Investment and Development Agency (NASIDA) and Blue Spring Hotel is being managed by the office of the SSG instead of the ministry.
Similarly, The management of Nasarawa Broadcasting Service (NBS) led by its Executive Vice Chairman, Mallam Awalu Salihu appeared before the committee for its 2022 budget performance assessment.
Salihu who thanked the committee for giving adequate attention to its activities, assured of their readiness to initiate good policies and programmes that would enure effective dissemination of information in the State.
Responding, Hon Omadefu commended NBS for performing well in terms of revenue generation.
He also advised the management of NBS to adhere strictly to budgetary provisions .
The chairman urged media executives and other practitioners to promote developmental journalism in the State.
Accompanying the Executive Vice Chairman of NBS was Mr Aloko Flashman, the General Manager of NBS among other management staff.