Reps panel summons ministers, AGF, HoCS over failed mass transit schemes

A house of representatives ad hoc committee has summoned minister of finance, Wale Edun and minister of trade and investment, Doris Uzoka-Anite.

The committee investigating the failed mass transit schemes in the country also summoned accountant-general of the federation, Oluwatoyin Madein, and head of civil service of the federation, Folasade Yemi-Esan.

Chairman of the committee, Afam Ogene, issued the summon on Wednesday during a public hearing at the national assembly, Abuja.

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The committee said many mass transportation schemes initiated by the federal government have failed as a result of a lack of proper oversight by the supervisory authorities.

Ogene said the invited government officials are required to furnish the committee with information about the disbursement of funds for the various mass transit schemes which are not in operation.

The lawmaker said the committee is “determined” to ensure that “previous monies that have gone out to different private operators of mass transit schemes are recovered and properly accounted for”.

He asked the clerk of the committee to invite the managing director of the Infrastructure Bank to also appear before the lawmakers.

“Let me warn that this invitation is not frivolous, this is an invitation extended to them by the house of representatives of the Federal Republic of Nigeria,” he said.

“If for any reason, any of them fail to honour this invitation, we shall invoke the full power of this committee as enshrined in the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria as amended.”

On Tuesday, the committee met with Nyesom Wike, minister of the federal capital territory (FCT), and pledged to support efforts to revamp and re-organise the Abuja transportation system.