Senate President Godswill Akpabio threatens to replace underperforming committee chairs in response to complaints over lack of oversight on revenue-generating agencies. Akpabio demands committee reports by January 2025 and stresses the need for compliance with National Assembly invitations from ministries, departments, and agencies (MDAs).
Senate President Godswill Akpabio has warned that he will replace the chairpersons of underperforming Senate committees. Akpabio's statement came in response to Senator Abdul Ningi's complaint regarding the Senate Committee on Finance's failure to oversee revenue-generating agencies. The Senate President emphasized that if committees are unable to fulfill their duties, the leadership would be changed to ensure more effective oversight.
Akpabio ordered all committee chairpersons to submit reports on their activities by January 31, 2025, to assess their progress and identify challenges. He also expressed dissatisfaction with the refusal of ministries, departments, and agencies (MDAs) to respond to invitations from the National Assembly, stressing that the Constitution supports the Senate’s right to demand accountability from these bodies.
Senator Aliyu Wadada, chair of the Public Accounts Committee, revealed that despite several invitations to the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) and Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPCL) concerning petroleum tax remittance, the agencies failed to provide satisfactory explanations. Wadada criticized the FIRS for submitting documents with incorrect alterations, describing the situation as unacceptable. Akpabio's comments underscore the Senate’s commitment to holding government agencies accountable and ensuring effective governance.
