The House of Representatives on Monday said there is no going back on its resolution to investigate alleged scam in the manner the Federal Capital Territory Administration carried out its ‘Land Swap’ scheme.
An Ad Hoc Committee has been constituted by the House to investigate improper allocation and cases of land racketeering in the Mass Housing Scheme, Land Swap Scheme and Residential Plots by the FCT administration from 2010 to date.
Hon. Bimbo Daramola, who chairs the committee, spoke to reporters against the backdrop of rumours making the round that the leadership of the House is under intense pressure to shelve the probe.
Daramola explained that the postponement of the public hearing earlier scheduled was as a result of the Eid-el-Kabir break as well as absence of Speaker Aminu Tambuwal, who was billed to declare the hearing open.
He however assured the public that the investigation is not in anyway targeted at any individual or group, saying that the committee would base its probe on the memoranda that would be submitted by stakeholders.
He spoke further: “The postponement was partly due to the Sallah break and the absence of the leadership of the House to inaugurate the investigation and give it due credence.
“It is not true that the Committee or its members are under any pressure, either to shelve the investigation or influence the work of the Committee.
“I am not aware of any.
“It is just that in an assignment of this magnitude, it is not out of place for people to insinuate all kinds of things but it is not right.
“I can also say it is as a result of the distrust that has been a problem in our body polity, which we have to address.”
While urging the public not to lose confidence in the committee, Daramola added: “There is nothing clandestine about it.
“This is not like the fuel subsidy controversy.
“We are talking about land and this is a tangible thing.
“I don’t see any reason why people should be afraid.
“Nobody is playing any script.
“All our investigations will be done in the open but we are going there like blind magistrates.
“We are not going to fish for any information to nail anybody.
“We will work and make recommendations based on the preponderance of information that will be made available to us.
“Memoranda have been pouring in from the stakeholders and other interested Nigerians and from that, it is like Nigerians are restive about the investigation.
“The memoranda with us for now are very topical and very encouraging and the Committee would not take anymore from 30th of this month and we have also provided opportunity for Nigerians abroad or those that may not be able to make presentations physically by hosting a website for the investigation.
“With this, Nigerians can access the activities of the ad-hoc Committee and as I said earlier, this is to show that we have nothing to hide.”
Trending
- Gov. Otu doubles subvention for Rovers Football Club
- Obaship tussle: Hoodlums kill security operative, shoot traditional chiefs + Photos
- Simi to feature on Glo sponsored African Voices
- EFCC cell, a status symbol — Cubana Chief Priest
- Chess: Tinubu congratulates Onakoya on Guinness World Record
- Police arrest four men over tricycles theft in Lagos
- APC Primary: Voters disperse as violence breaks out at voting centre in Okitipupa
- Ondo APC Primary: Edema faults process, calls for postponement