By Steve Oni, Ilorin
The Kwara state House of Assembly has vowed to sanction individuals or Organisations found guilty of misappropriation of assets and liabilities belonging to the state government, under the care of the state-owned Harmony Holdings Limited.
The Chairman of the eight-man ad-hoc Committee investigating the alleged misappropriation of government assets, Hon Hassan Oyeleke gave the assurance at the maiden public sitting of the Committee held at the premises of the House of Assembly in Ilorin.
The Committee Chairman, who is also the House Leader, while addressing the management of the Kwara Harmony Holdings, led by its Group Managing Director, Mr Tope Daramola said the committee was determined to carry out its assignment without fear or favour, pointing out that the exercise was in accordance with the provisions of the 1999 Constitution.
Hon. Oyeleke, who said the ad- hoc Committee which would examine the Standard Procedure of Organisation of the Holdings and its activities as a revenue generating body for the state, expressed confidence that the outcome of the exercise would assist in ensuring that the Holdings realise the purposes for which it was established.
According to him, the House as representatives of the masses would not fold its arm and watch state government’s property being misappropriated or sold illegally.
He said the Committee had visited Abuja and Kaduna to inspect the state Government properties, which according to him, would assist in juxtaposing with the submissions of the management of Harmony Holdings.
The Chairman assured that the exercise if resolved in favour of the Holdings would promote its image in the public domain, pointing out that, where it is otherwise, the Legislature would use all in its power, to ensure that no culprit go unpunished.
The Chairman of committee then announced the removal of a member of the committee Hon. Adamu Usman over what he described as conflict of interest.
The Leader of the House said Hon. Ahmed lbn-Mohammed representing Kaima – Kemanji,-Wajibe Constituency, replaced Hon. Adamu Usman while another member Mrs Bunmi Afolayan representing Oke Ero Constituency was added to add impetus to the Ad – hoc Committee.
The Group Managing Director of the Kwara Harmony Holdings Limited, Mr Tope Daramola, while speaking on oath told the Committee that the Harmony Holdings is 100 percent owned by the Kwara state Government.
Mr Tope Daramola confirmed in his submission that there is no individual or group, including all the Directors of the company, that owes a share either directly or by proxy.
The Committee is expected to inspect State Government properties in some parts of the state in continuation of its investigation.
It would be recalled that the Speaker of the House Dr Ali Ahmad inaugurated the ad-hoc Committee on 6th September following allegations of misappropriation of Kwara state Government assets under the care of Harmony Holdings.
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