The panel investigating the N628m contract scandal in the House of Representatives has directed that the ongoing renovation of the residences of the Speaker, Mrs. Patricia Etteh, and her deputy, Alhaji Babangida Nguroje, be stopped, pending the conclusion of its assignment.
The Chairman of the committee, Mr. David Idoko, who spoke with journalists midway into the panel’s closed-doors meeting in Abuja on Monday, added that those involved had been subpoenaed to produce documents on the contracts.
Idoko said, “Parties to the contract should maintain the res (subject matter in dispute).
“The contract will stop until the Ad hoc committee completes is assignment. The contract has not been cancelled.”
He said that the list of those to be invited to appear before the committee would be released on Tuesday (today).
Idoko, who disclosed that the defence by the National Assembly management would be considered, said that the panel would also invite witnesses if the need arose.
He said that all the rules would be sorted out on Tuesday (today), to pave the way for public hearing by the committee to start on Wednesday.
Idoko said the panel, which was constituted last Wednesday, would submit its report to the House on September 25, in line with the deadline given to it.
“We are trying to fine-tune some areas. We want to be thorough in what we give out,” he said.
The committee chairman described the meeting as the first formal deliberation by the members.
He said, “We had an introductory meeting last week. Conclusions were reached on sensitive areas.
“We are aware of the theatre of conflict. On Monday and Tuesday, we will have meeting to finalise discussion on the methodology of the investigation.
“The theatre of conflict has been established. We also need to look at the documents to guide our job.
“The hearing will be open and the methods will be as adopted by the House rules.”
On the delay in starting, Idoko explained that the panel was waiting to collect the documents that could assist it.
All the members of the panel were present at the four-hour meeting.
Besides Idoko, other Peoples Democratic Party lawmakers on the panel are Rabe Nasir, Chinedu Eluemuno, Peter Umoh, Depo Oyedepo and Yakubu Dogara.
The representatives of the All Nigeria Peoples Party are Alhaji Nasiru Mohammed and Alhaji Saleh Minjibir. Mr. Habeeb Fashinro is of the Action Congress.
They were mandated to examine the totality of the award of the contracts for the renovation of the houses and the purchase of 10 jeeps for the principal officers of the House.
The National Assembly management had defended the contract a week ago, stressing that it followed due process in awarding it.
It put the contract value at N579m but the Integrity Group (a coalition of lawmakers in the House), said it was N628m.
The Assembly management said that only N238m was meant for the work on the Speaker’s residence.
It said the residence of Etteh and that of her deputy were being ‘upgraded’ rather than being renovated.
It also argued that the residences contained clusters of houses.
Besides upgrading the houses, the contract involved furnishing and purchasing of 10 jeeps.
The contract scam has divided the House, with the Integrity Group, demanding that the matter be investigated.
Also, there is a New Agenda Forum, an umbrella body of 280 new legislators, which has also asked for a probe.
Despite the constitution of a panel to investigate the matter, the various groups and zonal caucuses have held consultative meetings to fine-tune their strategies. The pro-Etteh camp is also not folding its arms.
The Integrity Group, led by Mr. Farouk Lawan, was expected to meet on Monday night to review the events of last week.
Some of their members disclosed that they were under external pressure to backpedal from the crusade.
Among those who had met with the leaders of the Integrity Group are two former Speakers of the House – Alhaji Ghali Na’Abba and Mallam Aminu Masari – as well as Chief Andy Uba, a former aide to ex-President Olusegun Obasanjo.
Meanwhile, Obasanjo has called on all members of the PDP, especially those in the National Assembly, to rally support for the embattled Speaker.
According to a source, Obasanjo called for support for Etteh during a meeting he held with elected officers and leaders of the party, at his Ota Farm residence in Ogun State on Sunday.
Chiawo Nwankwo and Semiu Okanlawon
The Punch
Tuesday, September 11, 2007
