Reps set to question FCT Area Council Chairmen next week over expenditures

The House of Representatives Committee on FCT Area Council and Ancillary Matters is set to interrogate the six Area Council Chairmen of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) on their expenditure from Tuesday next week.

The Chairmen would face the House Committee after failing to show up for several invitations.

Chairman of the Committee, Fredrick Agbedi, during  hearing on Tuesday, which was attended by the Minister of State for FCT, Mariya Mahmud, and the six area Council  Chairmen, expressed displeasure stating  that they have been dodging the invitation of the Committee  to explain how they have been spending monies appropriated to them. According to the Chairman of the Committee, Agbedi berated them, saying their action held the parliament in contempt.

He said the Committee was not witch-hunting anyone, but that anyone who is in service must be accountable.

I am reaction, the Minister apologized  for not being able to honour the invitation of the Committee and promised that subsequently, they would work with the Committee.

On their part, the Area Council Chairman for Kwali, Danladi Chia, also apologised on behalf his colleagues and promised they would be cooperative for the probe.

According to a schedule provided by the Clerk of the Committee, Abaji Area Council would appear before the Committee on Tuesday, July 23, 2024; Bwari on Wednesday July 24, 2024 and Gwagwalada on Thursday, July 25, 2024.

Also, Kuje Area Council would face the Committee on Tuesday, July 30, 2024; Kwali on Wednesday, July 31, 2024 and AMAC on Thursday, August 1, 2024. The hearings are expected to hold by 1pm on the allocated days.

Agbedi said the Committee had to adjourn the investigative hearing till next week as a result of the demise of a member of the House from Kaduna State, Hon Ekene Adams.

The Committee had last Tuesday threatened the stoppage of budgetary allocation to the FCT due to the refusal of the Area Council Chairmen as well as agencies in charge of the Councils to honour previous invitations.