The House of Representatives Committee on Civil Society Organisations and Donor Agencies has issued 48 hours ultimatum to the Minister of State for Budget and National Planning, Mr. Clems Agba, to clarify some issues surrounding donor funds for the North East.
Chairman of the committee, Idris Kabiru, noted that the Minister has refused to appear before the Committee in spite of several summons.
Two members of staff from the ministry, Abdullahi Yakubu, an Assistant Director and Oluseyi Fatuyi, a Deputy Director who appeared before the panel on Tuesday were not allowed to stand in for the Minister for failure to provide authorising letters.
Fatuyi however pleaded with the committee for leniency saying the minister has always expressed readiness to interface with the Committee. “So we are very sorry sir. In respect of his inability to properly communicate to the Committee a letter of his absence, we are sorry because it is not intentional, it is just that something came up today and he had to delegate us. Up till last night he was to make it”.
Chairman the committee in his remarks said the House had mandated the committee to investigate the finds flowing into the North East from Donor Agencies and the manner of utilisation in the fight against insurgency.
“There is no need continuing without the person in charge of the Ministry being here. We have a cordial relationship with the executive, but we must be respected,” he said.
The chairman thereafter gave the minister of state 48 hours to appear before the committee.
