Senate Committee Chairmen Position Not A Reward-Akpabio

Senate Committee Chairmen Position Not A Reward-Akpabio

Senate President Godswill Akpabio has issued a stern warning to chairpersons of standing committees in the upper chamber, stating that those who fail to perform their duties effectively will be replaced.

Akpabio’s comments came during plenary session on Tuesday, in response to complaints from Senator Abdul Ningi, who represents Bauchi Central, regarding the senate committee on finance’s failure to carry out its oversight function on revenue-generating agencies.

He emphasized that the leadership of the Senate will take drastic measures if committee chairpersons are not doing their work effectively.

“If for any reason some committees are finding it too difficult to oversee their agencies, we will change the composition of the committees so that those who have the capacity and the capabilities can take over and do the job for the benefit of democracy in this country,” he said.

The senate president also ordered standing committee chairpersons to submit reports on their oversight activities by January 2025.

“I would like a report from almost all the committees to be submitted by January 31st of the activities so far so that we will know where they have difficulties,” he said.

Akpabio expressed disappointment over the disregard by heads of ministries, departments, and agencies (MDAs) for invitations from the national assembly.

“The powers are there, and the constitution backs us. I do not see where any MDAs or any agency will refuse to comply with the invitation or demands from any committee of the senate or the national assembly as a whole,” he said.

Senator Aliyu Wadada, chairman of the committee on public accounts, corroborated Akpabio’s concerns, citing his experience with the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) and Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL).

Wadada stated that despite issuing several invitations, the two agencies failed to provide a convincing explanation regarding the remittance of petroleum tax.

Wadada noted that the FIRS responded with documents that had been tampered with, rendering them unacceptable.

“The committee had written both NNPC and the Federal Inland Revenue Service. The Federal Inland Revenue Service responded with documents that have been tipexed and handwritten and acclaimed to be from JP Morgan,” Wadada said.

“This is extremely unacceptable, and all efforts for the need to be done have not been achieved.”

Akpabio’s warning and the concerns raised by Wadada highlight the need for effective oversight and accountability in the management of Nigeria’s resources.