The House of Representatives has resolved to set up an Ad-hoc committee to investigate appointments made by Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) under its jurisdiction between 2015–2023.
This was sequel to the adoption of a motion by a member from Enugu state, Professor Paul Nnamchi at plenary.
The House also requested the Federal Character Commission to forward the returns on appointments undertaken by the MDAs.
The lawmaker stated that though the Federal Character Commission Act was enacted to promote, monitor and enforce compliance with the principles of the proportional sharing of all bureaucratic, economic, media and political posts at all levels of government, the perception now is that there exists alleged brazen domination of the bureaucratic, economic, media and political posts at all levels by a section of the country at the expense of the others.
According to him, the Federal Character Commission has virtually abdicated its constitutional and statutory responsibilities and degenerated into personality clash of interest amongst its commissioners.
“Recognise that the constitutional injunction is that the Federal Republic of Nigeria shall be a state based on the principles of democracy and social justice, which also propagates national integration and abjure discrimination on the grounds of place of origin, sex, religion, status, ethnic or linguistic association or ties.
“Observed that the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (as amended) empowered the National Assembly with the categorical powers to expose corruption, inefficiency or waste in the execution or administration of laws within its legislative competence and in the disbursement or administration of funds appropriated by it as our core oversight and supervisory duty.”
Professor Nnamchi observed that the Standing Orders of the House provide that all government parastatals shall forward to the speaker all reports required by statute within three months of the close of the reporting period, and any violation of the same attracts sanctions as provided in the Legislative houses.
He added that it is within the legislative competence of the National Assembly especially its relevant Committee when constituted, to compel the Federal Character Commission to discharge its constitutional and statutory responsibilities.
Adopting the motion, the House directed the federal character commission to submit the character balancing index of all MDAs during the period under review.
The House also mandated the relevant committee, when constituted to report back within four weeks for further legislative action.
PIAK
