Abuja: The House of Representatives Committee on FCT Area Councils and Auxiliary Matters has summoned the Minister of State for FCT, Dr. Mariya Bunkure, to appear before it on Tuesday. The summon comes amid concerns that the minister allegedly failed to honor a previous invitation to discuss the FCT budget.
According to News Agency of Nigeria, the Minister of State for FCT was summoned due to the absence of her and most of the agencies under her supervision from a committee session on the FCT budget. Out of the 14 agencies she oversees, only three reportedly honored the invitation.
The Committee Chairman, Rep. Fredrick Agbedi, issued the summon in Abuja, emphasizing the importance of the minister’s presence. He warned that the parliament would resort to using its parliamentary powers if the minister failed to appear as scheduled. Agbedi highlighted the directive from President Tinubu, urging expedited action on the budget, and expressed concern over the minister’s negligence regarding the crucial budgetary discussion.
Agbedi stated that the minister was properly invited along with the agencies under her jurisdiction. He reminded her that the parliament and the committee serve as representatives of the FCT’s indigenes and residents, underscoring the committee’s significance to the local populace.
Rep. Paul Kalejaye, representing Ajeromi Ifelodun Federal Constituency, Lagos, also commented on the situation, describing the minister’s absence as an affront to the parliament. He reminded the minister of the parliament’s constitutional authority to enforce compliance with legal provisions.
The lawmakers have called on President Tinubu to address the issue urgently, asserting the importance of the budgetary process to the governance and development of the FCT.