Reps probes FCT Council funds, to quiz Chairmen next week

The six area council Chairmen of the Federal Capital Territory , FCT, are scheduled to appear before the House Committee on FCT and Ancillary Matters, starting from Tuesday next.

Daily Intel Newspaper understands that the Chairman are expected to be quizzed on their handling of the Council’s finance.

The councils Chairmen had previously snubbed the House committee’s invitations which led to the summon of the Minister of State for FCT, Mariya Mahmud, who eventually appeared today alongside the Chairmen.

Chairman of the Committee, Hon Fred Agbedi, during a hearing today, Tuesday July 16, which was attended by Mahmud, and the six chairmen expressed displeasure that they had been dodging the invitation to explain how they have been spending the Council’s funds.

He 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.

However, Mahmud apologised for not being able to meet up earlier invitations and promised that subsequently they would work with the Committee.

Also 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, 202 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.