THE House of Representatives Committee on Federal Character on Wednesday summoned the Director General (DG) of the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), Dayo Mobereola.
This followed the failure of the DG to appear before the Committee for an investigative hearing after being duly invited.
The Chairman of the Committee, Idris Wase, who expressed displeasure over Mobereola’s absence at the hearing at the National Assembly Complex, rejected his representative.
Mobereola had sent the Agency’s Director of Administration of Human Resources, Osembi Osigche, to represent him before the Committee.
Wase said the DG had not shown regard for the Committee and demanded that the DG appear in person before the committee on the 30th of July 2024.
He said, “This is considered a provision in the 1999 Constitution, as amended, and I take you straight to 8-1, it says, in the 3rd Schedule, in giving effect to Section 14, 3-D and 4-D, a portion I just address to you of this Constitution, the Committee shall have the power to Walk out an executive subject to the approval of the National Assembly for the prosecution of all cadres of force in the public service of the Federation and of the State.
“The unconstitutional operation of the Nigerian police force and other government agencies, government companies and persons of the State promote, monitor, and enforce compliance with the principles of the provision of all bureaucratic, economic, media, and political forces at all levels of government to take such legal measures, including the prosecution of the head or staff of any misdeed or government body or agency which failed to comply with any federal character, principle, or formula prescribed or attempted by the Commission.
“These are constitutional provisions guiding our work. It is a constitutional committee, and it may interest you to know that every state or federation is represented by at least one person. So we are about 70, and I believe because of the enormity of the work going on, that’s why members are not sitting. And very soon they will begin to come in, in their numbers.
“The chief executive is not here. He has sent in communication to us to ask the question that the Director of Administration of Human Resources, Mr. Osembi Osigche, be allowed to represent him because of other official engagements.
“There are some questions that we may ask that the representative may not be able to answer. So I think we should make sure that the Chief Executives are here before us. We agree to let you know that we’re stepping down your appearance as of today, and then we shall communicate also the next day for this appearance. And we expect him to appear personally or we will issue arrest warant.
“I think part of my resolution, is he has said he has respect for us. It’s a committee that is constitutional. But he didn’t even have the opportunity and time to write a letter and sign for us. He has to ask somebody to sign on his behalf. In an era of doing things and disobeying things that we have not done, I think if he means the words he’s saying, maybe he would have signed that letter personally.”
In his response, Osigche pleaded with the committee to accept his representation as the DG was away for another national assignment.
He said “We appreciate you and we acknowledge the seriousness this committee takes on this national assignment. As you rightly say, he should have signed, but I wish he was available to sign. And he wanted to come in person. That’s to show you the regard he has for this committee up to the last minute. Of course, if he was still unavailable, he would have been able to do that. But because of the nature of the job, maritime, and international engagement, which took him away. But most importantly, I’m very sure that he will be willing to be here on the next appointed date.
“Once more, we crave the indulgence of this committee. To understand that he loves to be here. And he takes this assignment seriously. Hence, he sent the highest-ranking person responsible for that activity to come here and put up this position. So, we crave your indulgence to be able to do so.
“Whatever he went out there to do, we appreciate that the blue economy is important for the country to move forward. But the blue economy is in the front line because of the good laws that have been produced by the same National Assembly. So, he’s enjoying our good work. He should render his good account before us. There is no explanation as far as I’m concerned,” he said.