TheSpeaker of the House of Representatives, Femi Gbajabiamila, has given theMinister of Niger Delta Affairs, Godswill Akpabio, 48 hours to name the
lawmakers who received contracts from the Niger Delta Development Commission.Akpabiohad said before a House committee on Monday said that 60 per cent of thecontracts awarded by the NDDC was given to lawmakers.
Theminister’s claim had generated controversy and questioned the integrity of thecommittee set up to probe the alleged N81bn fraud perpetrated by the NDDC.
Addressing the House on Tuesday, however, Gbajabiamila, who has been afederal lawmaker since 2003, said he had never received any NDDC contractbefore.
He subsequently gave Akpabio 24 to 48 hours to reveal the identities of thelawmakers that received the contracts or face severe sanction.
The Speaker said, “This is my 5th term here and I have never for oncecollected anything from the National Assembly and I know I speak for a great majorityof members of this House, a great majority. And because of that, I will takethis allegation and accusation very seriously.
“And I will give the minister (Akpabio) 24 to 48 hours. Clerk, I want you toback this up with a letter from this House. Give the minister 24 to 48 hours topublish the names, the contracts so given, the dates because obviously thesethings will be documented; unveil the companies of the 60 per cent projectsthat were given to members of the National Assembly.”
Gbajabiamila’s ultimatum received applause from a large section of the
lawmakers.