Three of the key players involved in the payment of billions of naira accruing from fuel subsidy — Central Bank Governor, Sanusi Lamido Sanusi; Minister of Petroleum Resources, Diezani Allison-Madueke; and Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala — on Tuesday boycotted the investigative public hearing into the implementation of Subsidy Reinvestment and Empowerment Programme (SURE-P).
Other officials who shunned the public hearing are Minister of Labour and Productivity, Emeka Wogu; Minister of Transport, Idris Umar and Accountant-General of the Federation (AGF), Jonah Otunla.
Dakuku Peterside, chairman of the committee expressed displeasure over the absence of the ministers and CBN governor from the investigative hearing, describing their action as “deliberate contempt.”
Peterside was forced to announce the postponement of the public hearing, stating that aside SURE-P Chairman, Dr. Christopher Kolade, all other invitees did not inform him or the committee of reasons why they would be absent at the meeting. He fixed 12th February 2013 as the new date.
“We are absolutely not happy with developments today. You may have observed that all the critical persons we need to proceed are not here,” said Peterside, who doubles as Chairman, House Committee on Petroleum Resources (Downstream).
“Save the chairman of SURE P, Christopher Kolade whom we excused since he obtained permission not to be at this proceeding, all the honourable ministers invited are not here. The CBN governor is not here and the committee interprets this to be an intentional disrespect for Parliament and its proceedings. This is totally unacceptable to us.”
He said that any attempt to ridicule the National Assembly will be resisted, as there are laws to ensure that the Assembly holds people accountable for their actions and whatever office they occupy.
“They (ministers) hold such offices in trust for the Nigerian people. If you don’t want to be involved in public service, please stay in your house,” he added.
“This intentional act of disrespect will not be condoned. I see this as deliberate contempt. I want to appeal that in the light of this development, we cannot proceed. But let me warn that we will not tolerate it again. As for ministers, we expect certain level of ethical conduct. I can’t remember anyone calling me or my clerk asking to be excused.
“However, not to rush into conclusion, the committee will give everybody one more chance and let’s see who will test the will of the National Assembly and, by extension, the will of the Nigerian people.”
He reiterated that the committee would not hesitate to explore all legal provisions available to compel appearance of the affected ministers, including issuing a warrant of arrest.
