N18.9bn Bush Clearing Contract: Reps C’ttee probes contractors

By Tom Okpe

The Public Account Committee (PAC) of the House of Representatives, on Wednesday, resolved to unmask identities of companies who handled the contract valued at N18.9 billion from the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development for clearing of bush, land preparation and rehabilitation of soil plant laboratories and others during the COVID-19 pandemic in the country.

The resolution followed the appearance of representatives of two (2) of the 20 affected companies at the resumed investigative hearing of the committee on queries to Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) of the federal government by the office of Auditor General of the Federation.

The affected companies are Easy Construction Company Ltd and Nukaag Ventures Ltd respectfully while the remaining 18 companies failed to show up

The Committee, chaired by Rep Wole Oke (PDP- OSUN) said the two representatives of the companies (Johnson Philip and Taiwo Idowu), were of the Managerial cadre and as such not competent to appear before the Committee going by the Rules of the House.

Responding to a question posed by the Chairman of the Committee on whether they were familiar with the submission to the Committee on the award and execution of the contracts mislead it, which they both, disagreed.

Consequently, the Committee directed the duo to leave immediately, directing that the Managing Directors or Chairmen of the companies, personally appear before it and speak to the submission before the Committee.

READ ALSO: Ngige wades in as electricity workers suspend strike

Oke also, directed the Clerk of the Committee to write to the Registrar of the Corporate Affairs Commission, CAC to furnish the Committee with detailed information of the affected 20 companies, including year of incorporation, corporate offices, names of the owners, shareholders amongst others.

He said: “We are not concerned about who won the contracts, what we are after is to determine value for the money paid out and sites of the projects.

“The Clerk should also write the Federal Inland Revenue Services, (FIRS) to furnish the Committee with the financial status of the Companies.”

Rep Oke assured that the Committee would carry out diligent investigation into the matter as it was interested in finding out the location of the projects and the significance of such projects to the country.