The House of Representatives on Thursday unveiled plans to commence an immediate investigation into the utilization of multi-billion naira take-off grants and intervention funds approved for Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs), institutions, and Government-owned Enterprises (GOEs) from 2015 to date.
The resolution was passed following the adoption of a motion on a Matter of Urgent Public Importance pursuant to Order 8(5) of the House of Representatives, 11th Edition, sponsored by Minority Leader Hon. Kingsley Chinda.
A Special Committee is to be set up to assess compliance with existing regulations and guidelines regarding the management and reporting of these funds, including any instances of diversion or misappropriation.
In his lead debate, Hon. Chinda, who solicited the House’s intervention, emphasized the need for the House to exercise its statutory powers under Section 88(2b) of the 1999 Constitution, which empowers it to “expose corruption, inefficiency, or wastage in the management of public funds appropriated by the National Assembly.”
“The House further notes that the effective utilization of public funds is paramount to fostering accountability, transparency, and trust in MDAs, government institutions, and GOEs.
“The House recognizes that over the years, the government has allocated take-off grants and intervention funds to existing and newly established agencies and institutions to support their foundational operations, as well as bailout funds to various agencies to facilitate specific services and settle outstanding liabilities.
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“The House is worried about persistent allegations of diversion and mismanagement of these funds, as well as the potential failure to utilize them for their intended purposes, thereby undermining the effectiveness of vital public services and projects.
“The House is concerned that significant financial losses resulting from the mismanagement of these funds represent a substantial drain on public resources—resources that could have been used for essential services and national development, in line with Section 14(2b) of the Constitution.
“The House is also concerned that the misuse of take-off grants, bailout funds, and other interventions has severely compromised national development goals, hindering progress toward critical social and economic objectives.
“The House is aware that the misappropriation of these funds has led to a demonstrable deterioration in the quality of public service delivery and has compromised national security, thereby undermining public trust in government effectiveness.
“The House is also aware that the lack of stringent oversight and monitoring mechanisms may contribute to inefficiencies in the deployment of these resources, resulting in wasted funds that could otherwise be utilized to improve well-intended government policies and protect citizens’ lives.
“The House is further aware that an extensive investigation is necessary for the National Assembly, pursuant to Sections 88 and 89 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (as amended), to clarify the scope, usage, and accountability of these financial allocations. This will fulfill its oversight responsibilities and ensure that public funds serve their intended purposes and contribute effectively to national development.”
To this end, the House resolved to constitute a Special Committee to conduct an immediate investigation into the utilization of take-off grants, bailout funds, and interventions allocated to MDAs, government institutions, and GOEs from 2015 to the present.
The Special Committee is also mandated to make recommendations for the enhancement of regulatory frameworks, sanctions, monitoring systems, and accountability measures to ensure the effective and intended use of public funds in all relevant sectors. The committee is to report back to the House within four weeks for further legislative action.
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