Mark To Jonathan: Sack Non-Performing Appointees Now

... As Senate Approve Gwaska's Sack
THEWILL, July 03, (THEWILL) - President of the Senate, Senator David Mark Tuesday expressed deep anger over the performance of some public officials and urged President Goodluck Jonathan to sack appointees who have "failed to focus and deliver on their responsibilities and instead make themselves a problem to others.”

His strong charge was made against the backdrop of the Senate’s approval of the sack of Alhaji Muhammadu Gwaska, as Commissioner representing Nasarawa State in the Federal Character Commission (FCC).

Senator Mark, while commenting on the removal of Gwaska said the approval of his sack should serve as a deterrent to erring officials in office of authority.

“I hope this serves as a warning to those who go and get appointment and don’t want to work.”

Recall that President Jonathan had written to the Senate requesting Gwaska’s removal from office citing absenteeism from duty without official authorization.

Other offences cited in Jonathan’s letter included “unlawfully retaining official cars and some strategic official files of the Commission.’’

Consequently, the Senate endorsed the removal request following the consideration of the report of the Committee on Federal Character and Inter-Governmental Affairs which recommended for the removal of Gwaska for “gross misconduct.’’

Reading the report at plenary, the Chairman of the Committee, Sen. Dahiru Kuta said Gwaska told the Committee that due process was not adhered to in the reappointment of Professor Shuaibu Abduraheem since it did not go through the Senate.

Kuta, said the Committee’s findings, however, showed that the President’s letter for removal of Gwaska followed due process and recommended that the President’s letter be approved.

He recalled that Gwaska was appointed as Commissioner representing Nasarawa State in 2008 while he became acting Chairman Jan.5, 2011.

He said the former Chairman, Prof. Shuaibu Abduraheem was reinstated on Sept. 11, 2011 but Gwaska absented himself from office in spite of official invitation to hand over to Abduraheem.

In same vein, the senate stood down the consideration of the report of the Committee on Agriculture and Rural Development on the establishment of a National Grazing Reserves Commission.

Thee report was stood down following a constitutional issue over the setting up of the commission saying that the Senate could only create grazing reserves in the FCT.

In urging the Senate to step down the report, Senator Ita Enang said that the constitution empowers State Houses of Assembly to enact laws for the creation of grazing reserves in their respective States.

“It’s the laws of each State House of Assembly that can create grazing reserves. We can only create grazing reserves in the FCT where the land is vested in the President and National Assembly.

“I hereby submit that we reject the recommendation to the extent of creating a national grazing reserves commission,’’ he said.

Sen. James Manager in his contribution said, “where there are doubts about what we are doing, I suggest that the matter be referred back to the committee to critically review it.’’

The Senate however gave the Committee on Agriculture and Rural Development and that of Judiciary, Human Rights and Legal Matters one week to review the legal implications of the bill.