House of Reps to Probe Illegal Auction of Govt Properties 

The House of Representatives has resolved to probe into what it terms as “illegal auction” of Federal Government properties by the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) and Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA).

Others agencies allegedly involved are the Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC), River Basin Development Authority (RBDA) and Nigerian Customs Service (NCS).

This is sequel to the adoption of a motion moved by Rep. Oluwole Oke (PDP-Osun) during plenary on Thursday in Abuja.

In his motion, Oke said the procedure for the disposal and auction of government assets in Nigeria were well spelt out in Financial Regulations, 2009 and Public Procurement Act 2007, among others.

Oke said the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (as amended) provides that all revenues realized from the disposal or auction of public property be remitted into the Consolidated Revenue Fund.

He alleged that the NPA, NIMASA, NRC, NCS and RBDA had been auctioning public property not only at a ridiculous price but also without following due process.

He advanced that partial remittance or non-remittance of revenue realized from the auction of public property into the consolidated revenue fund was a breach of the constitution.

He expressed concern that if the practice continued, coupled with dwindling crude oil revenue in Nigeria, the government might not cope with the rising demand for accelerated infrastructure.

Following his submission, the House thereafter resolved to set up an ad hoc committee to investigate the disposal of public property by the affected agencies.

This, according to the House, would cover the period between 2010 and 2022 with a view to establishing the extent of alleged illegal auction of public property and the non-remittance of revenue realized into the consolidated revenue purse.

The committee would report to the House within four weeks for further legislative action.

NAN