News
Public Complain Commission Ilorin Suffers 5-year Electricity blackout
...receives 604 cases, resolves 586 in one year
By Ahmed Ajikobi
One of the federal government agencies in Kwara state, Public Complain Commission has been operating without electricity supply to its for building for the past five years,National Pilot has learnt.
Consequently, the commission has been running on generator to power the building for its day to day operations.
Despite the public power supply challenges, however, the commission, which is meant to solved complaints of public and private individuals, received 604 cases and solved 586 cases with one year.
Speaking with National Pilot, the newly appointed Commissioner for the commission, Hon Olaoye Abidemi Joseph who resumed office July last year, said in his one year in office, he has received 604 cases from complainers.
He noted that, out of the 604 cases,586 cases have been resolved while the remaining is still pending because of the cases undergoing investigation, adding that it has never happened in the history of the commission in Kwara State.
He stated that, the responsibility of the agency is to help to those who cannot afford to get lawyers for their cases.
“Most especially, those who are less privileged. We accommodate any case and our job is to invite the two parties and bring them to the table to settle their matter. We give them judgement without any bias.
“We let people know that there is hope for the hopeless. Whatever the level of your education, status, people will be here for you to listen to your case.”
According to him, if government misfired, the commission will look into the matter and do justice.
“If you are wrongly sacked, as long as you can come to us and give reason why we should be interested in your cases. We will investigate your case and apply judgement. We give everybody an opportunity to explain and make sure we get results.”
The commissioner further explained that the commission will not dabble into a court case.
Speaking on the achievement of the commission under his leadership, Joseph said,” among the cases we have settled is a case of a boy playing with his friend in one of the government schools and lost his eyes in the process. The matter was brought to the commission and we looked into it.
“We let the government know that the schools are theirs and the incident happened in school. We let the school know that it’s their responsibility. The Secretary to kwara state government donated N3.5m to the parents.
“Another case of a man who had issue with his gratuity and pension of N5m who has health challenges. He needed to do surgery and through the office of Head of Service, N400,000 was secured for his operation. Just to mention but a few.”
Joseph stated further that for smooth operation, the commission work with the Chief Justice of Kwara , Police, FRSC, Immigration, Customs, NSCDC, NOA among others.” We have a magistrate assigned to the commission, and we have four lawyers.”
Reacting to the commission challenges, Joseph said, “we don’t have electricity supply in our commission for five years, no enough accommodations for staff among others”.
