The House of Representatives has inaugurated the House Ad-hoc Committee to Investigate the unestablished Presidential Foreign Investment Promotion Council (PFIPC) in the Federal Budget Framework.
The Speaker of the House, Mr. Tajudeen Abbas said the House through the inauguration of the committee is showcasing transparency and accountability.
Mr Abbas said “the subject of the agency had been dominating discussions and debates.”
“The subject before this Committee is one that has generated considerable public interest. For weeks now, discussions surrounding the Presidential Foreign Investment Promotion Council have dominated media reports, public commentary, and policy debates. Questions have been raised about its legal status, institutional mandate, operational framework, relationship with existing agencies, and, importantly, its appearance within the Federal Budget Framework despite widespread uncertainty regarding its establishment.
“These questions deserve clear, factual and authoritative answers.The House of Representatives has therefore not constituted this Committee to validate speculation or amplify controversy, neither is this a political exercise. Our objective is simply to establish the facts,” Mr Abbas said.
The Speaker said that the House constituted the committee simply to establish the fact.
He said; “At the 10th House of Representatives, we consider oversight to be more than a constitutional duty. It is the very channel through which citizens take part in governance. Every investigation we launch, and every public hearing we conduct, reinforces one simple truth: government exists to serve the people, and we must remain answerable to them.
“First, it should determine the legal basis, if any, for the establishment and operation of the Presidential Foreign Investment Promotion Council.
“It should investigate the circumstances surrounding the creation of the Council, including the processes through which it came into existence and whether those processes complied with the Constitution and extant laws.
“it should also examine the mandate, powers, governance structure, sources of funding, operational activities and institutional relationships of the Council with existing statutory agencies responsible for investment promotion, economic planning and public finance.”
Furthermore, the Speaker said; “it should investigate the circumstances under which the Council found its way into the Federal Budget Framework, identify the relevant approvals, authorisations and budgetary processes involved, and determine whether due process was followed.”
The Ad-hoc committee will also assess whether there has been any duplication of statutory functions with already established government institutions and evaluate the implications for public administration, fiscal responsibility and institutional efficiency.
it should receive memoranda and testimonies from all relevant Ministries, Departments and Agencies, constitutional bodies, experts, civil society organisations and members of the public, whose evidence may assist the Committee in arriving at informed conclusions”. He said.
Mr. Abbas said that “Democracy functions best when facts prevail over rumours, evidence over conjecture, and accountability over opacity.”
He noted that where legitimate public questions exist, Parliament has both the authority and the obligation to seek answers in an open, fair and transparent manner.
‘Finally, the ad-hoc committee will make recommendations to the House on any legislative, administrative or institutional reforms necessary to strengthen transparency, eliminate ambiguity, prevent duplication of functions, safeguard public resources and reinforce accountability in the establishment and funding of public institutions,” he said.
“Accordingly, the Committee’s assignment should be guided by clear Terms of Reference:These Terms of Reference underscore that this inquiry is not about personalities. It is about institutions, and moreover, it is about the integrity of public administration. It is sacrosanct that every public institution derives its authority from law and exercises its responsibilities within the limits prescribed by law,g the Speaker.” added
The chairman of the Ad-Hoc committee, Mr. Yusuf Gagdi promised to work towards serving the interest of the Nigerian people.
He said that “the committee would interact with relevant stakeholders to investigate the agency and come out with a report that will satisfy the House.”
“I am confident that through our collective commitment and professionalism, we shall produce a report that will not only assist the House in arriving at informed decisions but also strengthen our democratic institutions and reinforce the rule of law.
“As we formally commence this assignment today, I pray that Almighty God grants us wisdom, discernment, courage, and the fear of God to faithfully discharge this responsibility. May He guide our deliberations and recommendations so that our work will advance justice, uphold the Constitution, and serve the best interests of the Federal Republic of Nigeria,” Mr. Gagdi said.
He stressed that the assignment given to the committee is both significant and sensitive.
He said; “Our mandate is to objectively examine the circumstances surrounding the alleged establishment and operations of the Presidential Foreign Investment Promotion Council, determine whether due constitutional and statutory processes were followed, engage all relevant stakeholders, carefully review the available evidence, and submit appropriate findings and recommendations to the House. We shall approach this assignment with an open mind, guided only by the Constitution, the law, credible evidence, and the overriding national interest.”
The Chairman of the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission, Mr. Musa Adamu Aliyu said that the ICPC would make required submissions to the committee in due cause.
The Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, in Nigeria, Mrs. Didi Esther Walson-Jack,gave the sequence of the interactions with the PFIPC.
She submitted relevant documents for the attention of the committee.
