The House of Representatives has accused the Ministry of Education of breaching parliamentary directives.
This was sequel to a motion on the “Urgent Need For Implementation Of Acts Enacted By The National Assembly,“ moved by Yusuf Gagdi at plenary
They therefore, mandated its committee on appropriation to substitute the budgets of three Federal Universities for non compliance with an act of the National Assembly by the Ministry of Education.
The Universities are; Adeniyi federal university of education Ondo state, the federal university of education Pankshin in Plateau State as well as the federal university of education Kontagora, Niger State.
The lawmaker stated that the National Assembly upgraded the three institutions from colleges of education through repeal and enactment to federal universities of education which were assented by the President.
Gagdi said that despite all the actions, the ministry of education still went ahead to submit the 2023 budget for the repealed federal colleges of education and refused to recognize the Federal Universities of Education.
This according to him is a total disregard to the President and the National Assembly.
“Further notes that the 3 Bills namely Federal University of Education Pankshin (Establishment) Bill, 2021; Adeyemi Federal University of Education Ondo (Establishment) Bill, 2021; and Federal University of Education Kontagora (Establishment) Bill, 2021 were assented by the President and returned to the National for further action.
“Aware that the 3 Acts were duly enrolled at the Supreme Court and Gazetted at the Federal Government Printer, and copies circulated to all relevant MDAs including the Ministry of Education for implementation.
“Worried that despite complying with all provisions of law, the Ministry of Education in total disregard to the President and the National
“Assembly went ahead submitted the 2023 Budget for the repealed Federal Colleges of Education and refused to recognize the Federal Universities of Education which is tantamount to gross misconduct.“
Gagdi added that the ministry of education also went ahead to make budgetary provisions for a new federal university of health science in Bauchi State without legislative backing.
Contributing to the debate, the Deputy Minority Leader of the house Tobi Okechukwu, observed that breaching the act of parliament by an agency of the government is a serious offence that needs to be investigated.
He said that the House was not supposed to beg any agency to obey its rulings.
Adopting the motion the house resolved that the 2023 budget of the three institutions would not be passed until the federal ministry of education complied with the act.
PIAK
