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From Ndubuisi Orji, Abuja
The Deputy Spokesperson of the House of Representatives, Philip Agbese, has dismissed allegations that the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, engaged in borrowings for the nation’s capital without the approval of the National Assembly.
Agbese, a member of the Labour Party ( LP) from Rivers State, while reacting to claims by the Senator representing FCT, Ireti Kingibe on loans allegedly taken by the FCT administration, said Wike is one of the ” most legislatively compliant’ public officials in the country.
Kingibe, while featuring in a television program, recently, had accused the FCT Minister of allegedly borrowing without recourse to the National Assembly.
However, the House Deputy Spokesman told journalists, on Thursday, in Abuja, that
it was misleading to suggest that the FCT minister had circumvented the National Assembly or acted outside the law in securing funds for projects in the territory.
According to him, Wike has consistently subjected the FCT Administration’s activities to legislative scrutiny, including the presentation and consideration of the territory’s budgets and appearances before relevant committees of the National Assembly.
Agbese said the minister’s record of engagement with the legislature contradicted any suggestion that he had deliberately operated outside legislative oversight.
“Wike has committed no infraction in borrowings. There is no basis for the allegation that he has been borrowing money behind the back of the National Assembly,” he said.
The lawmaker argued that said the increase in FCT’s debt profile should be considered alongside the volume of ongoing infrastructure projects in the capital city, including massive road constructions, rehabilitation, transportation infrastructure and other development projects, under Wike’s watch.
He stated that it is wrong for anyone to portray the FCT Minister as someone who operates without legislative oversight, noting that Wike has always appeared before relevant legislative committees whenever required.
Agbese added “under our searchlight, the FCT Minister is one of the most legislatively compliant public servants. He has consistently engaged the National Assembly and subjected the activities of the FCT Administration to legislative scrutiny.”
