Reps investigates illegal disposal of public properties

Professor Ihonvbere and other members of the committee at the hearing on Monday in abuja. Photo: Ibrahim Shehu/Radio Nigeria

The House of Representatives has commenced investigation into the alleged illegal disposal of public property by some government agencies between 2010 and 2022.

The Chairman of the Ad Hoc Committee set up to conduct the investigation, Professor Julius Ihonbvere, who declared the event open, stated that tge investigation was to unravel the extent of illegal auctioning of public property and non-remittance of revenue realized into the Consolidated Revenue of the Federation.

The committee noted that written letters have been sent to all the agencies concerned requesting for information on the subject matter, without feedback from the agencies concerned.

The committee chairman assured that they would physically visit the Agencies, examine their books and conduct physical inspection of all public properties acquired to determine the ones sold and procedures adopted for the exercise.

” On Thursday 6″ July, 2023, the House of Representatives considered a motion on the Need to Investigate Illegal Auctioning of Property of Federal Republic of by Nigeria Ports Authority, Nigeria Maritime Administration and Safety Agency, Nigeria Railway Corporation, River Basin Development Authority, Railway Corporation and Nigeria Customs since (HB. 36/07/2023). ‘’ After exhaustive debate and consideration, the House set up an AdHoc Committee to investigate the matter and revert with recommendations. This task, to me and the entire members of this Ad-hoc Committee, is a very onerous one as the recommendations of the Committee will be deep, thorough and comprehensive. Ihonbvere stated.

Ihonvbere however advised the Chief Executives of Agencies invited to the hearing to give the Committee the necessary cooperation to enable it to achieve its goals.

While responding to questions from members of the committee, the Managing Director Cross River Basin Development Authority, Bassey Nkposong, said the Agency has nothing to auction as most of their equipment were vandalized during the End Sars Protest of 2021.

Other Managing Directors present also explained that auctioning of their properties were carried out by the Federal Ministry of Water Resources.

Chairman of the Committee, informed the MDAs to make all requested documents available to the committee.

He also directed the Federal Ministry of Water Resources to appear before the committee on Tuesday, September 5.