…Agencies Ignore Hearing On 2021–2023 NEITI Reports
…Lawmakers Issue Final Summons, Warn Of Constitutional Action
Daud Olatunji
The Senate Public Accounts Committee on Monday threatened to invoke constitutional sanctions against the Central Bank of Nigeria, the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission, the Niger Delta Development Commission and the Nigeria Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative after the agencies failed to appear before an investigative hearing on audit queries relating to Nigeria’s oil and gas sector.
The committee, chaired by Senator Ibrahim Dankwabo, described the agencies’ absence as a disregard for the authority of the National Assembly and warned that any further failure to honour its invitation would attract punitive measures under the 1999 Constitution and the Senate Standing Orders.
The lawmakers consequently rescheduled the hearing to Thursday, August 6, directing the chief executives and management of the affected agencies to appear before the panel.
The hearing was expected to kick-start a three-week investigation into observations contained in the NEITI audit reports covering activities in Nigeria’s extractive industry between 2021 and 2023.
The committee had summoned the agencies to respond to audit queries arising from the reports as part of the Senate’s constitutional oversight of public finances and the oil and gas sector.
However, none of the invited agencies, including NEITI, whose audit reports are being examined, was represented at the opening session.
The development drew criticism from members of the committee, who described the absence as an affront to the Senate.
Speaking during the session, Dankwabo said the committee would not tolerate any attempt to undermine the legislature’s oversight responsibilities.
He said the investigation would continue until all agencies provided satisfactory explanations on issues raised in the audit reports.
“The committee will not condone any act that suggests disregard for the authority of the Senate. The affected agencies must appear on the rescheduled date or face the consequences provided by law,” he warned.
Senator Babangida Hussaini, representing Jigawa North-West, urged the committee to exercise its constitutional powers against the defaulting agencies.
According to him, the committee derives its authority from Sections 47 and 60 of the 1999 Constitution and the Senate Standing Rules, stressing that no government agency should ignore a lawful invitation from the National Assembly.
“I think this committee is being taken for granted, and by extension, Nigerians are being taken for granted. The institutional integrity of the Senate is being undermined. Drastic measures need to be taken in line with our rules,” Hussaini said.
Also supporting tougher action, Senator Patrick Ndubueze, representing Imo North, faulted the agencies for failing to notify the committee of their absence.
He said the agencies neither sent representatives nor communicated any reason for their failure to attend the hearing.
“To me, they don’t deserve to be given any second chance of appearance,” Ndubueze stated.
Despite the criticism, Dankwabo said the committee had resolved to give the agencies one final opportunity to appear on Thursday before any sanctions would be imposed.
Meanwhile, the committee is expected to continue its investigative hearings on Tuesday with appearances by the Office of the National Security Adviser, the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority, the Revenue Mobilisation, Allocation and Fiscal Commission, alongside other government agencies.
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