The Lagos State House of Assembly has directed the state’s Commissioner for Waterfront Infrastructure, Kabiru Abdullahi, to appear before its Committee on Waterfront Infrastructure unfailingly on Thursday.
The lawmakers, during plenary on Tuesday, complained that Abdullahi disrespected the House of Assembly by his refusal to honour an invitation of a House Committee which has oversight functions over his ministry.
However, the Speaker of the House, Mudashiru Obasa, appealed to the committee and members of the House to reconsider their prayer just as he urged them to give the commissioner another opportunity to appear before the House.
This followed a motion moved by the Chairman of the Committee on Waterfront Infrastructure, Wahab Jimoh, who complained that the commissioner handled letters of invitation as well as requests for documents initiated by the committee on the activities of the Ministry of Waterfront Infrastructure Development with disdain.
Jimoh said, “In 2020, the ministry, under the supervision of the commissioner, awarded some contracts on which 70% advance payments were made in the same year, and jobs have not commenced as of today. Examples of such contracts awarded are the construction of site offices/gatehouses at Idogun, Lepia and Akodo, Alayande, Sangotedo, Ibashe, and Owode-Apa (preliminary work on the creation of waterfront schemes).
“Also, the commissioner used his power to frustrate contractors by not approving further payments for completion of projects that are ongoing although advance payments have been committed and the level of the job is about 55%. An example of such a project is the repair of a dilapidated roof and renovation of office block 10 (second and third) occupied by the ministry.”
Jimoh then prayed that a comprehensive investigation be carried out by the committee on Abdullahi’s activities
Supporting Jimoh, a lawmaker representing Alimosho Constituency 1, Bisi Yusuff, noted that the legislature is the most important arm of government in a democracy and, as such, must be respected.
Similarly, another lawmaker representing Eti-Osa II Constituency, Gbolahan Yishawu urged the House to allow a full-scale investigation into the commissioner’s activities in office for treating the House with levity.
Their positions were supported by other lawmakers, Adedamola Kasunmu, Sa’ad Olumo, and Victor Akande.
In this regard, the Speaker directed the Clerk of the House, Olalekan Onafeko, to write to Abdullahi to appear with all necessary documents on Thursday, September 15, 2022.
