By Afolabi Samuel Odunayo
The House of Representatives has announced date of its scheduled meeting with the Area Council Chairmen of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) regarding their expenditures.
In an announcement made by the Committee Chairman, Frederick Agbedi, he said the chairmen will appear before the House Committee on FCT and Ancillary Matters after repeatedly failing to respond to previous invitations on matters bordering on funds.
He said the meeting is scheduled Tuesday, July 26, 2024.
According to him, the House will drill the six Area Council Chairmen of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) regarding their expenditures.
During scheduled hearings attended by the Minister of State for FCT, Mariya Mahmud, and the six council chairmen, Agbedi had criticized the council leaders for disregarding parliamentary summonses, emphasizing the need for accountability in public service.
“The committee is not witch-hunting anyone, but anyone who is in public service must be accountable,” he stated.
Minister Mahmud apologized for not attending earlier meetings and assured the House members of future cooperation with the committee.
According to a schedule provided by Committee Clerk Matthew Okureka, the hearings will proceed as follows by 1pm each day:
– Abaji Area Council: Tuesday, July 23, 2024
– Bwari Area Council: Wednesday, July 24, 2024
– Gwagwalada Area Council: Thursday, July 25, 2024
– Kuje Area Council: Tuesday, July 30, 2024
– Kwali Area Council: Wednesday, July 31, 2024
– AMAC (Abuja Municipal Area Council): Thursday, August 1, 2024
It would be recalled that the death of congressman Ekene Adams caused the committee to postpone the initial hearing.
The committee had said last Tuesday that if the council chairmen didn’t respond to its summons, it would stop providing funding to the FCT.
