…direct NSA, Foreign Affairs, others to investigate activities of NGOs
By Paul Effiong, Abuja
House of Representatives has constituted an ad-hoc committee to investigate all issues surrounding the allegations of money laundering and embezzlement by United States Congressman, Scott Perry.
Speaker Tajudeen Abbas, who announced the names of members of the special committee yesterday before the end of plenary, expressed confidence that those appointed to serve in the panel will do a very thorough work for the benefit of all Nigerians.
The mandate of the panel include thoroughly investigating the activities of non-governmental organisations, as well as their real identities, sources of funding and how they expend their money.
AljazirahNigeria recalls that Perry, a Republican representing Pennsylvania, made the claim during the inaugural hearing of the sub-committee on Delivering on Government Efficiency last Thursday.
The session, titled ‘The War on Waste: Stamping Out the Scourge of Improper Payments and Fraud,’ focused on alleged misappropriations of taxpayer funds.
To this end, a lawmaker representing Yamaltu-Deba Federal Constituency of Gombe State, Hon. Inuwa Garba in a motion of urgent public importance during plenary yesterday, emphasised the importance of urgent investigation into the allegation in view of its weight and magnitude.
The green chamber had earlier directed its Committees on National Security, Intelligence, Defence, Foreign Affairs, as well as that of Inter-Governmental Affairs, to investigate the activities of non-government organisations in Nigeria.
The panel was mandated to investigate the real identities of NGOs, sources of funding and what they expend their money on.
Meanwhile, scores of Nigerians have expressed deep concern over the activities of these NGOs who traverse the nooks and crannies of Northern Nigeria where the military dare not operate.
Lawmakers during contributions observed that if the allegation is true, such raises serious national and international security concern and questions about external influences on Nigeria’s fight against insecurity, lamenting that insecurity has led to significant loss of lives, destruction of property, and displacement of over one million citizens over the years.
It is no more news that Nigeria has been battling insurgency and terrorism for over a decade, with the government committing enormous resources to counter terrorism operations while also seeking international cooperation to curb the menace.
Briefing correspondents on the essence of the motion Hon. Garba raised concerns that such an allegation, if not thoroughly investigated, could undermine Nigeria’s sovereignty, compromise national security efforts, and diminish public confidence in the ongoing fight against terrorism.
The lawmaker also lamented that failure to unearth the truth behind the heavy allegation could embolden criminal and terrorist elements by hampering with the process of addressing the insecurity challenges confronting the country.
