ABUJA, Nigeria — The House of Representatives ad hoc committee on Disposal of Public Property summoned the top brass of Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency, NIMASA, Nigerian Ports Authority, NPA, and Nigerian Customs to a hearing aimed at investigating the alleged illegal auctioning of government properties by various agencies.
The committee, chaired by the House leader, Julius Ihonvbere, is taking a stern stance against what it perceives as habitual negligence and non-cooperation from these key agencies.
Ihonvbere issued the summons during the committee’s resumed hearing on Thursday, September 7, 2023.
“NIMASA and NPA seem to have a notorious tendency not to respond to invitations from the parliament. And we are not going to tolerate this,” he said.
The chairman also noted that the Nigerian Customs had a history of failing to honor invitations from the 9th Assembly but warned that such conduct would not be acceptable in the current assembly.
“I advise the Comptroller General of Customs to get in touch with the committee clerk and get a date to appear and provide the required documents and information,” Ihonvbere said.
The House leader also expressed disappointment over the absence of the Ministry of Water Resources representatives at the committee hearing.
“It is a very bad way to start with an administration that is out to change the course of things and improve the lot of Nigerians,” he said, urging the permanent secretary to reschedule their appearance before the committee.
Ihonvbere warned all agencies sternly, suggesting that their lax attitude could have severe consequences.
“I have a feeling some of them think that what we are doing here is a joke, but by the time they discover it is not, it will be too late,” he cautioned.
The committee’s aggressive posture signifies its commitment to addressing allegations of irregularities and ensuring that state assets are managed with the highest degree of accountability.
This investigation comes when the government increasingly focuses on anti-corruption measures and the responsible use of public funds and resources.
