Femi Gbajabiamila, the Speaker of the House of Representatives, has threatened to name and shame corrupt federal agencies.

This followed the adoption of a motion on a matter of urgent national importance, ‘Incessant Abuse and Disregard of the 2021 Appropriation Act, by Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) of Government’. It was sponsored by Ndudi Elumelu, the Minority Leader of the House, during a plenary in Abuja.

“I think if you disclose such agencies, it is important to name and shame them. Because if it is true, then it is a criminal matter. If you divert government money appropriated for a purpose, then it is economic sabotage,” Mr Gbajabiamila stated, reacting to the motion.

He asserted that diverting money meant for other projects “is a crime” and pointed out that the motion was a serious allegation and amounted to diversion of public funds while urging Mr Elumelu to name such agencies.

In August, Senate President Ahmad Lawan and Mr Gbajabiamiala were accused of taking $2 million each in cash bribes to ram the new petroleum industry law through despite protests from host communities.

Meanwhile, Mr Elumelu, in his motion, noted that the agencies were the channels responsible for the delivery of government policies.

He stated that section 80(4) of the constitution stated that “no money shall be withdrawn from the consolidated revenue fund or any other public fund of the federation except in the manner prescribed by the National Assembly.”

According to him, between 40 and 60 per cent of funds had been released for implementing the 2021 Appropriation Act, yet most federal agencies have yet to dispense the funds for the purposes meant for.

The legislator added that agencies allegedly engaged in financial misappropriation by diverting the funds, frustrating government macroeconomic framework, while others outright denied receiving such releases.

Mr Elumelu also disclosed that if the alleged corruption were not checked, President Muhammadu Buhari’s anti-graft stance would be discredited in the eyes of Nigerians and that of the international community.

The House, therefore, mandated all standing committees to investigate agencies they supervise and identify lapses if any thoroughly.

It also mandated the committees on finance and appropriation to liaise with the finance ministry to ascertain releases made to the agencies in compliance with the 2021 Appropriation Act.

The House further urged that all the standing committees conclude the findings within two weeks and report to the parliament for further legislative actions. 

(NAN)