Reps summon two ministers, AGF, HSCF over failure of mass transit

The House of Representatives ad hoc committee investigating the failure of the mass transit scheme in Nigeria has summoned the Minister of Finance, Mr Dele Alake to explain why the scheme failed.

Others summoned include the minister of Trade and Investment, the Accountant General for the Federation, and the Head of Service of the Federation.

Rep. Victor Ogene, the Chairman of the committee, issued the summon in Abuja on Wednesday.

He said the committee decided to invite the ministers and others to supply it with requisite information regarding previous mass transit schemes in terms of disbursement.

He said the committee was yet to get the document required, saying sequel to that, the agencies were invited to appear before the committee on Sept. 11 and 12 at 11 am.

“Additionally, the clerk of this committee is to invite the Managing Director of the Infrastructure Bank to appear on the same day and time,” he said.

The chairman of the committee also asked the National Association of Road Transport Owners and the Road Transport Employers of Nigeria to appear before it.

It, however, warned those concerned not to treat the invitation with levity, adding that failure to come would incur the wrath of the lawmakers, thereby invoking its legislative power.

“Let me warn that this invitation is not frivolous, this is an invitation extended to them by the House of Representatives of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

“And if for any reason, any of them fail to honour this invitation, we shall invoke the full power of this committee as enshrined in the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria as amended,” he said.