Leadership (Abuja)
Edem Edem
3 April 2008
Abuja — Federal House of Representatives Committee on Power and Steel currently probing contracts in the power sector in the last administration has indicated its intention to invite former President Olusegun Obasanjo, former Senate President, Chief Ken Nnamani, former Speaker, Alhaji Bello Masari and former Vice-President, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, to explain their roles when money was appropriated for the power and steel sector during the last administration.
This was made known in Calabar Cross River State when the committee led by its chairman, Hon. Ndudi Elumelu, visited Cross River State to inspect the sites of on-going projects in the power sector. Speaking to newsmen after the committee met with Governor Liyel Imoke at the Executive Council Chambers of the Governor's Office, Hon. Elumelu explained that relevant invitations would be made during the course of the committee's investigations.
Asked why the committee had not invited persons like the former president, he said, "we have six zones in this nation and meanwhile we are only in one of the zones. We have to go to all the zones to ascertain the extent of work done, after that, not just the president, there were other people that have not been invited. Those who chaired relevant positions when money was appropriated like former Speaker, former Senate President, former Vice-President and President, so it is a long race."
While addressing Governor Liyel Imoke and the state executive council members, Hon. Elumelu said the committee was in the state to inspect the projects to ascertain the extent of work done. According to him, a motion was raised on the floor of the House of Representatives where "the House Committee on Power and Steel was mandated to look into the expenditure in the power sector from 1999-2007.
"We started on April 7, with a public hearing and having done that, we felt it will be very nice to at least go to the sites to be able to appreciate what has been going on on those sites."
Responding, Governor Liyel Imoke commended the committee for the decision to inspect the projects. Hear the governor: "What the committee is doing is very important in this country. We are particularly pleased that the committee has deemed it fit to go round and visit the various projects site."
" I believe that beyond affording the committee members the first time opportunity to see what is actually going on to make the assessment. I believe the visit also helps to ginger up those who are responsible for executing these projects. It creates awareness and forces everybody to be alert. Here in Cross River State where a number of these projects are located, it is our hope and belief that with what the committee is doing, it would only facilitate the completion of these projects for the benefit of the good people of Cross River State."
"After your exercise, I believe you will be better placed to sanction those who have failed to perform and of course to commend those who have done well. Those who have performed below standard should be queried because the projects have been on for sometime," the governor stated.
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Things happen in Naija, God will help people to survive. Imagine power & energy sector in the consumption of real cash running into billions and people continue to suffer after rip-off of the hard-earned money to pay for electricity not consumed. God dey and judgement will definitely start from the 'top' to go down as well accordingly. Adebo W/Africa.
The world is funny:In America here, people blame illegal aliens for every negativity. We refuse to accept the fact that Abacha(a -butcher), Babangather, Okikilokon Jeremiah Obasanja in Nigeria for example are all "sons of the soil". Next time we shall hear "Nan Oyinbo make us poor". Obasanjo and his daughter Iyabo alone have been accused of fiscal misdeeds that even those of us who earn a living dealing with figures have lost count.