From Ndubuisi Orji, Abuja
House of Representing has said it would leave no stone unturned in its bid to ensure the recovery of all national assets that were fraudulently acquired.
The Chairman of the House Committee on Public Assets, Ademorin Kuye, stated this yesterday in an interview with journalists in Abuja. Kuye noted that the committee has the support of the parliament and President Bola Tinubu to ensure that all public assets cornered by unscrupulous persons were recovered.
The lawmaker, while noting that the value of the federal government assets is currently valued at $100billion, said there was need for a register to properly document the public assets in the country.
Kuye said: “As chairman of this committee, I am ready to step on toes. We are ready to go all the way in ensuring that all the federal government’s assets are recovered from looters; people who have misappropriated them both in the private and public sectors. We are ready. We have the support of Mr President and the leadership of the National Assembly to do our work without fear or favour.
“I want to assure Nigerians that every asset belonging to them will be recovered. Even the concessioned assets, those who are in charge must work according to the concession agreement.
“What we have in this country in terms of assets have not been properly valued. On the website of MOFI, it is claimed that the federal government’s assets are worth $18 billion, but that is not true. From my own estimate, the value is over $100 billion.
“When we put all this on record, in a proper asset register and harmonization of the laws with a legislative backing for MOFI, they can then efficiently perform their responsibilities, and this will help the country.”
Furthermore, Kuye said the committee was committed to ensuring transparency and accountability in the management and disposal of public assets.
He said: “When we talk of public assets, we do not mean physical assets only. We are referring to both tangible and intangible assets, given the investments by the Federal Government in concessions, privatisations and all of that.”