House of Reps committee investigating spending of N1.017t SWF sits behind closed door

The House of Representatives Ad hoc Committee investigating the utilisation of N1.017 trillion accrued into the Sovereign Wealth Fund on Friday said it preferred to continue its assignment without media coverage.

The News Agency of Nigeria reports that the media covered the sitting of the committee, which was held on Wednesday.

However, when it reconvened on Thursday, a member of the committee told newsmen who were ready to continue with the coverage that their presence was no longer required.

Kuye told the newsmen that the committee favoured conducting the investigative hearing behind closed doors.

The Association of Local Government of Nigeria protested against the presentations of the Managing Director of Nigerian Sovereign Investment Authority and Nigeria Governors’ Forum on Wednesday.

Aminu Umar-Sadiq, the Managing Director NSIA, told the committee during its first sitting on August 23, 2023 it invested in schools and constructed some classrooms in primary schools across local government areas in the country.

Reacting to the statement, the President of ALGON, Kolade Alabi, denied knowledge of any projects being executed through the NSIA across the 774 LGAs.

Alabi said: “You have spoken well about schools, but our own jurisdiction is primary schools.

“We have not seen a single school you built at the LGA level.”

He demanded the details of beneficiaries of various projects reeled out by the MD of the NSIA, adding: “None of the projects to the best of our knowledge can be seen or felt at the LGA.

“They have spoken well in partnership with the communities, but my question is: How can you partner with the communities without LGA?

“They have spoken well about health delivery, but the one that is within the limit of the LGA is primary health care.”

Alabi said the NSIA investment was to state government-owned hospitals and not LGA hospitals.

He asked: “You have talked about 13,500 affordable houses but to who? 

“Who would be the beneficiary?”

Also, the Director-General of the Nigeria Governor Forum, Asishana Okauru, represented by Lateef Shitu, Executive Director, Strategy and Research, confirmed the NSIA president’s statements, describing LGAs as appendages of state governments.

However, some concerned lawmakers and stakeholders expressed displeasure over the flagrant abuse of the provisions of the 1999 Constitution (as amended) as regards the administration of local governments.

They urged President Bola Tinubu to ensure adherence to the provisions of the 1999 Constitution, which recognises local governments as the third tier of government in the country