By Paul Effiong, Abuja
House of Representatives has resolved to constitute a special committee to conduct urgent investigation into the utilisation of take-off grants, bailout funds and interventions allocated to Ministries, Departments and Agencies, MDA, from 2015 till date.
The special committee is to amongst other functions, asses compliance with existing regulations and guidelines regarding the management and reporting of funds, including any instances of diversion or misappropriation.
The special panel will also make recommendations for the enhancement of regulatory frameworks, sanctions, monitoring systems and accountability measures to ensure the effective and intended use of public funds in all relevant sectors and report back to the House within four weeks for further legislative action.
These resolution followed the adoption of a motion raised during plenary under matters of urgent national importance by the Minority Leader, Kingsley Chinda.
In his lead defence, Chinda expressed worry that persistent allegations of the diversion and mismanagement of funds, as well as the potential failure to utilize them for their intended purpose usually undermine the effectiveness of vital public services and projects.
He raised concern that significant financial losses resulting from the mismanagement of these funds represent a substantial drain on public resources that could have been used for essential services and national development in-line with Section 14(2)(b) of the Constitution.
Speaking on the motion, Speaker Tajudeen Abbas called for a voice vote which was adopted by the majority lawmakers.
In another development, the House also mandated its Committee on National Security and Intelligence, Army and Police to liaise with security agencies for the establishment of a Forward Operation Base, FOB, and deployment of policemen in order to restore security to the area.
This followed the adoption of a motion of urgent national importance on the need to address the incessant terrorist attack and kidnapping across Kabba – Bunu/Ijumu Federal Constituency of Kogi State sponsored by Salman Idris.
Speaking in favour of his motion, Idris expressed worry that terrorist attacks and kidnapping is almost becoming a recurrent issue in his constituency, especially in Kiri communities, as well as in Bunu land where there is complete absence of security presence in more than 30 communities that stretch over 40km.
Following the observation of a minute silence by the House for victims who died at several kidnapping incidents, lawmakers also urged the National Emergency Management Agency, NEMA to urgently provide relief materials to the displaced persons in the affected communities.
