…frown at inability of agencies to send in comprehensive submissions
By Gloria Ikibah
The House of Representatives has directed the Infrastructure Concession Regulatory Commission (ICRC), Nigerian Electricity Management Services Agency (NEMSA), National Power Training Institute of Nigeria (NAPTIN), Nigeria Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA) and other federal government agencies to suspend all ongoing concession processes until all ongoing investigation has been concluded.
This was the resolution of the Joint House Committee on Public Assets and Special Duties On “Calls for memorandum from relevant government agencies and the general public to the investigation and assess the performance of public private partnership programmes and concession agreement from 1999- till date”, during its inaugural investigative hearing on Thursday at the National Assembly Complex, in Abuja.
The committee also frowned at the inability of the ICRC, NEMSA, NAPTIN, and NIWA to send in their submission and full documents as requested by the panel.
They said it is supposed to be a comprehensive report, with date and time of concession and expected to yield revenue.
Consequently, a member of Committee, Rep. Saidu Abdullahi, moved the motion to halt all process of. Concession.
He said: “If we all agree that the concession process should be suspended pending the investigation or they should go ahead.
“We should put it to them. Let them know that it is a resolution by this committee that all other pending concession processes be suspended until after this committee has concluded its work”.
Chairman, Committee on Special Duties, Rep. Kabir Tukura Ibrahim, put the motion to a vote and it was unanimously adopted.
He said: “So, anything regarding this concession should be suspended pending the outcome of everything that we are doing here. This goes to all the agencies here present.
“I have seen a submission of NAPTIN is very skeletal, it’s not informative, it doesn’t carry what we required for us to work with. Please do a detailed report, let it encapsulate all of the necessary areas of the concession that you are going into.
“This should not be accepted, it’s an insult to this committee to bring this submission before the House of Representatives. Please lets do better.”
Earlier in his speech, while declaring the investigative hearing open, Speaker of the House, Rep. Abbas Tajudeen said the exercise marked a crucial milestone in the House’s dedication to appraise the efficacy of the Public Private Partnership (PPP) Programmes and Concession Agreements from 1999 till the present day.
Represented by his deputy, Rep. Benjamin Kalu, the Speaker said the objective of the investigative hearing is explicit, to meticulously dissect the triumphs, challenges, and overall impact of PPPs and Concession agreements on our public infrastructure and services.
He said: “While PPPs have indeed played a crucial role in propelling development, it is imperative that their effectiveness undergoes a comprehensive analysis. Therefore, this hearing presents a platform for transparent dialogue, insightful discussions, and collective efforts to rectify any shortcomings and build upon successes.
“As we set off on this journey of investigation and evaluation, we should remain mindful of the public interest we are duty-bound to serve. Your insights and expertise are vital in shaping recommendations that will steer the course of future policies and practices. Hence, I encourage active involvement, constructive discourse, and a mutual commitment to transparency and accountability.
“Together, let us ensure that the outcomes of this hearing not only provide a comprehensive understanding of past performances but also lay a solid foundation for more effective and equitable Public Private Partnerships in the future”.