House Committee Summons Ministers, AGF, Others Over Failure of Mass Transit

Juliet Akoje in Abuja

The House of Representatives ad hoc committee investigating the failure of mass transit scheme in Nigeria, yesterday, summoned the Minister of Finance, Mr. Wale Edun, over failure of the scheme.

The committee also summoned the Minister of Trade and Investment, the Accountant General for the Federation and the Head of Service of the Federation.

The Chairman of the committee, Hon. Victor Ogene, who issued the summon yesterday, said the committee decided to invite the ministers and others to supply it with requisite information regarding previous mass transit schemes in terms of disbursement.

Ogene said the committee was yet to get the document required, saying sequel to that, the agencies were invited to appear before the committee in September 11th and 12th at 11 a. m. “Additionally, the clerk of this committee is to invite the Managing Director of the Infrastructure Bank to appear on the same day and time,” he added.

He also asked the National Association of Road Transport Owners and the Road Transport Employers of Nigeria to appear before it and warned those concerned not to treat the invitation with levity, adding that failure to appear would incur the wrath of the lawmakers thereby invoking its legislative power.

“Let me warn that this invitation is not frivolous, this is an invitation extended to them by the House of Representatives of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. And if for any reason, any of them fails to honour this invitation, we shall invoke the full power of this committee as enshrined in the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria as amended,” he added.

The Abuja Investment Company Limited and National Union of Road Transport Worker  had earlier appeared before the committee where they both made suggestions on how to stop the recurring failure of the scheme.  Ogene further said: “In spite of strike action by the Nigeria Labour Congress and the recess, members were able to make it,” adding that it showed the determination of the committee.