The House of Representatives suspended all concession processes being undertaken by Federal Government Agencies under any arrangement pending the conclusion of the ongoing investigation of Government assets nationwide
The Chairman of the joint House Committees on Public Assets and Special Duties, Hon Kabir Tukura Ibrahim
gave the directive at the inaugural investigative hearing at the National Assembly Complex in Abuja
This followed the failure of the Agencies that appeared for the hearing, including,
The Infrastructure Concession Regulatory Commission (ICRC), Nigerian Electricity Management Services Agency (NEMSA), and Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP) tender the full documents requested by the panel.
Consequently, a member of the Committee, Hon. Saidu Abdullahi (APC, Niger), moved a motion for the immediate suspension of the concession until the conclusion of the investigative hearing, which was unanimously supported by members
According to the Chairman of the Committee, “We should put it to them. Let them know that it is a resolution by this committee that all other pending concession processes be suspended until after this committee has concluded its work.”
“So, anything regarding this concession should be suspended pending the outcome of everything that we are doing here. This goes to all the agencies here present.
“I have seen a submission of NAPTIP; this is very skeletal, it is not informative, and it doesn’t carry what we required us to work with. Please do a detailed report; let it encapsulate all of the necessary areas of the concession that you are going into.
“This should not be accepted; it’s an insult to this committee to bring this submission before the House of Representatives. Please, let’s do better.”
Speaking earlier while declaring the investigative hearing open, Speaker Abbas Tajuden said the exercise marked a crucial milestone in the House’s dedication to assessing the efficacy of public-private partnership (PPP) programmes and concession agreements from 1999 until the present day.
Represented by his deputy, Hon. Benjamin Kalu, the speaker said the objective of the investigative hearing was explicit: to meticulously dissect the triumphs, challenges, and overall impact of PPPs and concession agreements on our public infrastructure and services.
According to him, “While PPPs have indeed played a crucial role in propelling development, it is imperative that their effectiveness undergoes a comprehensive analysis. Therefore, this hearing presents a platform for transparent dialogue, insightful discussions, and collective efforts to rectify any shortcomings and build upon successes.
“As we set off on this journey of investigation and evaluation, we should remain mindful of the public interest we are duty-bound to serve. Your insights and expertise are vital in shaping recommendations that will steer the course of future policies and practices. Hence, I encourage active involvement, constructive discourse, and a mutual commitment to transparency and accountability.
“Together, let us ensure that the outcomes of this hearing not only provide a comprehensive understanding of past performances but also lay a solid foundation for more effective and equitable public-private Private Partnerships in the future.”
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