Reps Begins Probe Of Asset Disposal By NPA, NIMASA, Others

• The House of Representatives is investigating property disposal by federal government MDAs such as NPA and NIMASA
• The House committee summoned Ministry of Water Resources officials after MDs of River Basin Development Authorities appeared before them

The House of Representatives has launched an investigation into the disposal of property by federal government Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs) such as the Nigerian Port Authority (NPA) and the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA).

The House Ad-hoc Committee investigating the disposition of public properties summoned Federal Ministry of Water Resources officials to appear before it on Tuesday.

Professor Julius Ihonvbere, Chairman of the Committee and House Leader, issued the directive following the appearance of the Managing Directors (MDs) of River Basin Development Authorities before the Committee on Monday.

Upper Benue River Basin Development Authority, Cross River Basin Development Authority, Lower Niger River Basin Development Authority, Benin Owena River Basin Development Authority, and Hadejia Jam’amare River Basin Development Authority were among the MDs who appeared before the committee.

In his submission, the Managing Director (MD) of the Cross River Basin Development Authority, Engr Bassey Nkposong, stated that the agency had nothing to auction and that their equipment was vandalized during the EndSARS protest in 2021.

Other managing directors who spoke during the meeting stated that the Federal Ministry of Water Resources auctioned off their properties.

Ihonbvere directed the MDs to return to the ministry to obtain the remaining documents related to the auctioning of the properties and submit them to the committee in his ruling.

He advised the chief executives of the agencies invited to the hearing to cooperate with the committee in order for it to achieve its goals.

He warned that agencies that were invited but did not show up were breaking the law.

Professor Ihonvbere said;

Those who blatantly disregard our invitation, we know precisely what to do as a House. There is a tendency in this country for big agencies to believe that they can operate above the law. But not with this 10th Assembly.

He therefore directed that officials of the Ministry of Water Resources should appear before the committee on Tuesday, September 5, at 10:00 am.