Reps Decry Corruption In MDAs, Move To Probe Procurement Of Capital Projects
Members of the House of Representatives have raised concerns over the suspicious practices in Ministries, Departments and Agencies of the Federal Government and have called for an immediate investigation into the procurement process of all capital projects.
This follows the adoption of a motion moved by the member representing Etche/Omuma Federal constituency Hon. Kelechi Nwogu on the “Suspicious Practices of the Federal Government Ministries, Departments, Agencies (MDAS) Parastatals and Institutions in the Execution of Capital Projects in the Appropriation Act” on Thursday at Plenary.
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The Lawmakers thereby resolved to mandate its Committees on Financial Crimes, Public Service Matters and Public Procurements to investigate the procurement of Capital Projects by Ministries, Departments, Agencies (MDAs) Parastatal and Institutions of the Federal Governments to recover withheld sums from the execution and report back within four (4) weeks for further legislative action.
Presenting the motion, the Lawmaker Noted that Section 81 (1) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 (as amended) provides that “the President shall cause to be prepared and laid before each House of the National Assembly at any time in each financial year estimates of the revenue and expenditure of the Federation for the following financial year.
“Observes that a majority of government ministries, Departments, Agencies (MDAs), Parastatal and Institutions allegedly award contracts that are below the amount provided for the execution of the Capital component of the Appropriation Act;
“Disturbed that the National Assembly has not been provided with information on withheld funds from Federal Government Agencies, causing project procurement reductions to negatively impact on project completion and Contractors abandonment or requests for variation of the initial cost;
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“Alarmed that the National Assembly’s powers, as provided in Sections 88 and 89 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 (as amended), are being undermined by the actions of the Federal Government’s Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs), Parastatals and Institutions,” he said.
The prayers were taken and referred to the necessary committee for further legislative action.
