….says investigation will assist government on planning
Speaker House of Representatives, Hon Abbas Tajudden has urged members of the Ad-hoc Committee investigating funds accrued to the Great Green Wall project from 2015 till date to be fair and just to all stakeholders as they began their assignment saying that recommendations made at the end will assist the government in future planning.
The Speaker, Hon Tajudden who gave the charge while declaring open an investigative hearing to ascertain funds accrued to Great Green Wall further disclosed that the probe will help the government to gather accurate data that could help it ensure optimal project implementations in Nigeria.
According to the speaker, another aim of the Probe will be to expose corruption as well as guide the new administration in the continued implementation of the policy for the general benefit of all Nigerians.
“The mandate of the ad-hoc set up for the investigation is to investigate All funds received from International organizations and Donor agencies from 2015 to date, All budgetary and other Federal allocations to the National Agency for the Great Green Wall from 2015 to date”
“The utilization of ecological funds released to the Great Green Wall by the international organizations. All contracts awarded to various contractors for the project from 2015 to date; The total sum received through the policy and the level of compliance with the goals and objectives of the projects,” he said.
In his remarks, the Chairman of the Ad-hoc Committee, Hon Isma’ila Dabo explained that the recent upsurge in natural environmental challenges, despite funds put into the Great Green Wall program from both federal government and international partners pushed for the investigation.
Hon. Dabo equally expressed concern that some ministries, departments, and agencies of the federal government, as well as several state governments, have either not responded to the committee’s request to submit the necessary documents required, or deliberately delayed such documents to prevent it from carrying out its mandate.
“As a Committee, our assignment is to investigate and make appropriate recommendations to the House for a resolution, and we will do just that”.
“This hearing is to provide fair hearings to all parties and for all issues affecting a successful implementation of the project to be brought to the table. After this hearing, we shall embark on, an on-the-spot assessment tour
to all the projects executed under this scheme to ascertain the claims”.
“The Ad-hoc committee is resolute in undertaking this assignment in the
interest of all Nigerians. We are not here to scandalize any individual or
organization but only to ensure that public funds are utilized for the purpose they are meant for”. He is explained
