The Nigeria House of Representatives Ad-hoc committee on Communications has commenced Investigation into the Federal government’s abandoned Projects since 1999 till date with a view to establishing the cost and periods of the Award as well as completion and constraints of those projects.
The chairman of the Ad-hoc Committee, Hon. Chukwuma Umeoji made this known today during the Inaugural Meeting of the Committee held at the National Assembly complex, Abuja. He said it is the constitutional mandate of the House to investigate any unpatriotic and shoddy practices in the system.
Hon. Chukwuma said the core mandate of the committee is to also engage all the stakeholders involved in the abandoned projects in the Communications sector to unravel any sharp practices particularly in areas where public trust is at stake.
“It is instructive to note that if the nation is to have a meaningful development in terms of infrastructure and social services, there is urgent need for a change in the manner of award of contracts for and the execution of capital projects” Hon. Chukwuma, said.
“To this end therefore, House of Representatives through this Ad-hoc Committee will require relevant stake holders, including Federal Ministry of Communications Technology, Nigerian Communications Commission ( NCC), Nigerian Postal Service, ( NIPOST) , Nigerian Communications Satellite Ltd, ( NIGCOMSAT) and Galaxy Backbone Plc including relevant contractors to make necessary submissions and presentations and as well to appear before it to take necessary questions that may arise”.he added.
On his part, a member of the committee, Hon. Kolawole Lawal representating Egbado South Ipokia Federal Constituency in Ogun State, explained that the committee was not set up to witch hunt any one but to interface with the stakeholders in order to know the challenges that led to the abandoned projects, saying anti corruption fight of Buhari administration is a collective task.
Saheed Badmus reports that the Adhoc committee set up following a motion moved on 24th July, 2019 on the Need to Investigate Federal Government’s Abandoned Projects from 1999 till date and has 90 days to submit their report before the House.