The Federal House of Representatives’ ad-hoc committee probing alleged land racketeering in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) is set to question Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Senator Pius Anyim and Minister of Aviation, Stella Oduah.
Both of them will offer explanations on the acquisition of the land to be used for the construction of the Centenary city and the roles of a company specifically floated for it.
Members of the lower chamber opted to invite them on Thursday after examining the submission of Minister of FCT Minister, Bala Mohammed (in an investigative hearing), who revealed that his administration did not allocate any land for the Centenary City.
Chairman of the committee, Hon Bimbo Daramola reiterated the need to consider the plight of Nigerians massed in however the celebration is planned.
“We should not inflict pains on Nigerians just because we are celebrating 100 years”, she said. “The interests of Nigerians should be paramount regardless of whatever any investor is bringing into the project.”
She urged Bala to tread with caution, saying the country must not regress by 100 years by the time he completes his ministerial term.
Also on Thursday, the Senate made an about-face on its initial resolution summoning Oduah before the plenary to explain the running of the aviation industry, particularly concerning recent air crashes. Instead, it now wants the minister to appear before the Committee on Aviation.
This followed a motion sponsored by Senate Leader, Chief Victor Ndoma-Egba and supported by the Minority whip, Senator Ganiyu Solomon to that effect.
“The minister of aviation and chief executives of aviation parastatals should brief the Senate Committee on Aviation on the state of the aviation sector on the high number of Aviation incidents in the country”, the upper chamber resolved.
