Gov Otu, Legislators Set For Showdown Over Accommodation, Other Renumerations

By Victor UDU

Tempers have reached an all high breaking point between the Cross River State House of Assembly members and Governor Bassey Otu over alleged poor funding and other renumeration.

Investigation by The Beagle News revealed that since their inauguration in June, the legislators have received only one month salary.

Investigations further showed the law makers are grappling with accommodation problem as most of them are still staying in hotels with their family members.

Members are very angry over the one million Naira (N1m) approved for individual members to renovate their legislative quarters and purchase pieces of furniture.

According to the Legislators such an amount is grossly inadequate considering the fact that structures are dilapidated and outdated.

A source stated that the members see "the allocation as an embarrassment and insult given the terrible condition of the buildings and the cost of building materials at the moment.

"They add that even states with smaller allocations have better accommodation for their lawmakers and why not Cross River. Let the Governor know that we would not sleep under bridges and be able to make laws for the state.

"How and where am I to take this renovation from and end with vertically all the electrical fittings removed by former occupance and structural defects," the source stated.

The Beagle News gathered that members are confused at the import of the decision which they consider insensitive to their plight, disclosing that the one month salary we have received since we came on board is barely enough for basic needs.

It was eqaully gathered that wardrobe, furniture and other allowances due the lawmakers have not been paid.

Another source from the Assembly hinted The Beagle News that those legislators who do not own houses in the state capital are being accommodated in hotels at their personal expense and are said to be having tough times meeting their obligations having been served with notices of ejection by the hotels' management.

"Up till now no official cars for Speaker and members of the House. So how do we carry out oversight functions."

In the light of the above there are indications that members may go on recess to be able to put themselves together and be able to face legislative matters and also attend to constituency issues.

But the Governor is said not to be disposed to the lawmakers going on recess and has pleaded with the House Leadership to reconsider their decision because there is much work to do in the early stage of the administration.

 A civil servant, who simply gave his name as Peter Abuli, said the lawmakers are really passing through tough times as their offices are not even furnished and no stationaries to work with.

Abuli said: "The legislators complaints are genuine and hope they won't be treated like the last 9th Assembly who were mere rubber stamp, adding that the Speaker is still battling to get things right for his colleagues.

"I hope that timely intervention by the governor would calm nerves to forestall frosty relationship between the executive and the legislature.

"We are aware that the last allocation to the state was massive and should be able to tackle these issues if not all, some," he stated.