We’ll recover govt assets in private hands – Speaker

The Kwara House of Assembly says it will work toward recovering the state government’s property in private hands to ensure equity, probity and accountability in the state government-owned companies.

The House Speaker, Dr Ali Ahmad, gave the assurance in Ilorin, while inaugurating an ad hoc committee that would investigate the allegation of misappropriation relating to government assets under the care of Harmony Holdings.

The speaker explained that the investigation became imperative following the complaints received by the house.

According to him, among the allegations are that some staff of Harmony Holdings allegedly converted or sold choice properties to themselves or their acquaintances.

He said that they had failed to show evidence of payment of the commercially competitive prices into the appropriate government accounts.

The speaker commended Gov. AbdulFatah Ahmed, for coming up with the initiative of Harmony Holdings Ltd. to “oversee other smaller and industry- specific entities.

He said that this was to reinvigorate and redirect all the potentially income-yielding and revenue generating agencies and parastatals of government.

The speaker said that the investigation was geared toward establishing facts, make recommendations and ensure that the company is salvaged and restored to the path of profitability.

Ahmad said that the House was not out to witch-hunt or victimize any one.

He urged the committee members to discharge their duties in accordance with the provisions of Section 128 of the nation’s Constitution.

The speaker lauded a lawmaker, Adamu Usman, for his boldness in returning the landed property given to him by the company free of charge in Abuja some years ago.

Responding, the committee Chairman, who is also the House Leader, Hassan Oyeleke, promised to carryout thorough investigation without fear or favour.

“We will not leave any stone unturned in our attempt to unearth the misery behind the management of our collective resources,” he said.