Committee of Representatives Threatens to Sanction Government Agencies for Failing to Appear for Investigation

The House of Representatives ad hoc committee on the volume of fuel consumed daily in the country has threatened to sanction government agencies for failing to appear for investigation.

The chairman of the committee, Rep. Abdulkadir Abdulahhi (APC-Kano) issued the warning Thursday at a public hearing in Abuja.

The committee said any relevant government agencies that had not yet appeared before the committee risked “unpleasant consequences.”

Mr. Abdulahhi said the consumption of petroleum products, especially PMS, was a very sensitive issue in the country with its profound implications for fiscal federalism.

"We expect government agencies to cooperate with us in providing the information and data we request so that we can educate them and perform analysis to determine the volume consumed.

He said that while the exercise would help the committee determine the amount of money needed to subsidize the product, most key industry players avoided showing up for a hearing.

“Let me warn you that this committee and the House of Representatives will leave no stone unturned.

“No agency is above the law, they can only delay their appearance before this committee but they will not escape the tentacles of this committee and the House in regards to this investigation.

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"It is preferable that they appear, before this committee makes its observations, and give us the data necessary for this exercise so that the mandate of this committee is updated.

“I want to use this medium to get their attention, that we expect them to be civil government organizations and to cooperate in this legislative responsibility,” he said.

Mr. Abdulahhi asked the committee clerk to write to all relevant government agencies, including those who sent letters requesting an extension of time to appear at the next hearing.

He said failure to appear for the next hearing, which will take place the second week of August, will result in "unpleasant consequences" from the committee and the House as a whole.

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