By Gloria Ikibah
The House of Representatives has said it would commence interrogation of the six Area Council Chairmen of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) on their expenditure from Tuesday next week.
The six chairmen would face the House Committee on FCT Area Councils and Ancillary Matters after failing to appear after several invitations.
Chairman of the Committee, Rep. Frederick Agbedi, during a session on Tuesday, which was attended by the Minister of State for FCT, Mariya Mahmud, and the six Chairmen expressed displeasure that they had been avoiding the invitation to explain how they have been spending money money allocated to them.
He berated them, and said their actions held the parliament in contempt.
Rep. Agbedi said the Committee was not witch-hunting anyone, but anyone who is in service must be accountable.
Mahmud apologised for not being able to meet up earlier invitations and promised that subsequently they would work with the Committee.
Also the Area Council Chairman for Kwali, Danladi Chia, also tendered his unreserved apology on behalf his colleagues and promised they would cooperate for the probe.
According to a schedule provided by the Clerk of the Committee, Abaji Area Council would appear before the Committee on Tuesday, July 23, 2024; Bwari on Wednesday July 24, 202 and Gwagwalada on Thursday, July 25, 2024.
Also, Kuje Area Council would face the Committee on Tuesday, July 30, 2024; Kwali on Wednesday, July 31, 2024 and AMAC on Thursday, August 1, 2024.
The hearings are expected to hold by 1pm on the allocated days.
Naijablitznews.com reports that the Committee adjourn the investigative hearing till next week as a result of the demise of a member of the House from Kaduna State, Rep Ekene Adams.
The Committee had last Tuesday threatened the stoppage of budgetary allocation to the FCT due to the refusal of the Area Council Chairmen as well as agencies in charge of the Councils to honour previous invitations.