By Msurshima Andrew, Makurdi
Benue state Government has commence plans to ensure full financial autonomy of both the legislative and judicial arms of its government.
The State Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Barr. Mike Gusa who disclosed this while briefing newsmen in his office, in Makurdi, said government has set up a State Accounts Allocation Committee and given the responsibility of sharing funds accruing to Benue state on monthly basis.
Gusa said two laws have already been assented to by the State Governor, Samuel Ortom, after same was passed by the Benue State House of Assembly.
They include the Law to provide for the management of funds accruing to the Benue State Judiciary from the consolidated revenue fund of the state and the Law to provide for the management of funds accruing to the Benue State House of Assembly.
The Commissioner for Justice explained that state government wants to ensure proper implementation of the laws hence the State Accounts Allocation Committee is saddled with the responsibility of sharing funds that are accruing to the state on monthly basis in such a manner that is agreeable by the three arms of government.
He said government is committed to strengthening the democracy and separation of powers that are already in practice in the state.
” It is also to strengthen the smooth relationship between the Executive, the legislature and the judiciary and to keep to the tenets and desire of Governor Ortom on non interference with the workings and operations of the other arms of government.
“This law was assented to by the Governor and we are in the process of gazetting same so that it will be made available to the public,” Gusa said.
He assured that the committee is not taking over the work of the Local Government Joint Account, JAC, saying while the joint account committee manages the funds accruing to local governments, the State Accounts Allocation Committee will manage funds accruing to the state.
“The state government does not grant autonomy. This is provided by the constitution. What we are doing is implementing the provisions of the constitution.
“So we have only drawn out a legal framework to give a backing to the provisions of the constitution that says that when money is allocated to the state, they should be shared between the three arms of government, the executive, the legislatures and the judiciary.”
He assured that with the legal framework, the judiciary and the legislature now have absolute financial autonomy.
