MTEF: Reps talk tough as NIMASA, NDIC ignore invitation

The house of representatives on finance has vowed to invoke its constitutional powers on some ministries, departments and agencies (MDAs) for ignoring its invitation. 

Speaking on Tuesday at the ongoing interactive session on the 2022-2024 Medium-Term Expenditure Framework (MTEF), James Faleke, chairman of the committee, said the defiant MDAs will be “properly taken care of by the house”.

Faleke said the essence of the public hearing is to enable the house, as mandated by law, to ensure proper utilisation of government funds and adequate revenue generation.

“Some agencies are avoiding to come and present their papers before us, I want to make it abundantly clear that any agency of government that refuses to appear before – and defend the revenue profile and expenditure of his/her agency will be properly taken care of by the House,” he said.

“I want to use this opportunity to call on NIMASA, this is the second time we are making this announcement. You must bring your documents and defend your revenue before this committee.

“FAAN is supposed to come here tomorrow, there will be no room for postponements. They must appear and defend the sources of their income.

“National Lottery Trust Fund, they must come in and defend the income they have received and the way they are managing that fund. National Deposit Insurance Corporation (NDIC) is supposed to appear before us today, we are yet to see them.

“Standard Organization of Nigeria (SON), National Inland Waterway Authority — you must appear before Thursday. Please do not allow us to make decisions that will not be palatable to the agencies.”

So far, several MDAs have appeared before the committee to defend their MTEF for 2022 to 2024.

Despite constitutional provisions,  TheCable had reported repeated refusal of heads of MDAs to comply with the summons.