House C’ttee on Works Promises Transparency, Accountability

The Chairman of the House of Representatives Committee on Works, Akin Alabi, yesterday, promised effective oversight function, transparency, and accountability in the discharge of their duties.

Alabi pledged during the inaugural meeting of the committee in Abuja.

“With oversight of the Works Ministry and its agencies, there will be visible transformation on our road infrastructure,” he emphasised.

He further stated that the committee, which has representatives from all 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory, needs to be more productive and focused due to challenges in the road sector.

According to the chairman, the committee may consider and adopt concrete use for road construction against the use of asphalt, which has led to a deplorable state of road infrastructure in the country.

“It is my pleasure to welcome all members to this inaugural meeting of the House Committee on Works.

He reminded the house that the leadership carefully selected them to represent each of the states in this committee.

“As you are all aware, Order 20 (B), Rule 109 of the Standing Orders of the House, established the House Committee on Works with jurisdiction as oversight of construction and maintenance of federal roads and bridges.

He listed the Oversight of survey and mapping; Oversight of road research; Oversight of the Office of the Surveyor-General of the Federation, (OSGOF); and Oversight of the Council for the Registration of Engineering in Nigeria, (COREN).

Oversight of Surveyors Council of Nigeria, (SURCON); Oversight of Federal School of Survey, Oyo State; Oversight of Regional Centre for Training in Aerospace Survey, (RECTAS).

Alabi added: “Oversight of the Ministry responsible for works and its parastatals, save those assigned to other committees, and annual budget estimates.

“This committee, in this 10th Assembly, needs to be much more proactive considering the myriad of challenges on our road infrastructure.”

With revelations from the Minister of Works from touring various road projects nationwide, Alabi expressed confidence that their job is well cut out for them.

His words: “As a parliament of the people, our intervention is very crucial to ensure that we ameliorate the sufferings of our people on the roads.

“We, as a committee, must come up with legislation, policies, and interventions that will improve the situation on our road infrastructure.”

On every sitting day in the House, the chairman insisted that the committee receives two to three referrals on motions from members drawing attention to road infrastructure in their constituency, calling for attention.

He said: “There is no doubt that the situation of our road infrastructure is highly deplorable. That is why we need to swing into action immediately.

“Though the last government carried out some initiatives, policies, and interventions on road infrastructure, we need to review some of these ideas and determine their work-ability or effectiveness in addressing our general concerns.”

Alabi also recalled that in the last administration, the Presidential Infrastructure Development Fund (PIDF) and the Highway Management Development Initiative (HDMI) were among several initiatives employed to improve road infrastructure.

“In line with the Legislative Agenda of this 10th Assembly, this committee will collaborate effectively with the Ministry of Works and its agencies to promote interventions for rapid transformation on our roads,” he assured the house.