Since the return of democracy in 1999, both chambers of the National Assembly have been carrying out several probes into the activities of federal government’s ministries, departments, and agencies (MDAs) as part of their oversight functions. Daily Trust on Sunday, in this report, examines the effectiveness or otherwise of such probes.
By Abdullateef Salau, Itodo Daniel Sule & Balarabe Alkassim
In less than three months, the 10th Assembly has launched over 50 probes aiming to dig into alleged malfeasance, mismanagement of funds and other infractions by MDAs, directing either standing or ad hoc committees to carry out the exercise within a time frame.
In plenary sessions, members usually bring up several motions calling for investigations into infractions allegedly committed by government agencies.
This has been the trend for ages, especially at the commencement of legislative sessions.
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But there are concerns about how much these series of unending probes, which often gulp billions of taxpayers’ funds to conduct, have achieved in saving the country’s wobbling economy through blockage of leakages and prosecution of corrupt officials.
Observations over time have shown that many of these investigative hearings which often come with much drama and startling revelations of mind-blowing corruption end up in the “cooler” after the initial media hype.
Many of the hearings are most often never concluded by the committees within the stipulated period and sometimes, those that manage to conclude their probes come up with what many would best describe as “wishy-washy” reports and recommendations that would end up not holding any government official to account.
Read more: https://dailytrust.com/inside-national-assemblys-endless-probes-of-agencies/
