House of Representatives Committee on Ecology, has begun investigation of states and agencies over money released to them under the Ecological Fund.
The committee is carrying out the probe after paying oversight visit to some states ravaged by floods.
At its inaugural investigative hearing in Abuja on Monday, the committee queried the National Agricultural Land Development Authority over ecological funds it received and expended.
Director-General of the NALDA, Paul Ikonne, had made a presentation to the committee during which he gave details of funds received by the body since 2022.
Ikonne said, “We made submission already as requested by your committee, Mr. Chairman. From June 2020 till the day of requesting for this submission to be made, which is March 2022, NALDA has received a total N9,642,557,654.91. Up till date, NALDA has received a total of N12, 740,506,664.”
Chairman of the committee, Ibrahim Isiaka, however, expressed dissatisfaction with the presentation, saying, “NALDA, we have received your submission and having gone through it, the committee members have so many queries and questions. Before we put you on the spot, you still wait a bit so that we go through the rest.”
Isiaka also expressed displeasure with non-appearance of some ministries, departments and agencies of the Federal Government as well as several state governments.
According to the lawmaker, only about 10 states, including Ogun, Enugu, Plateau, Kwara, Imo, Niger, Ondo, Borno and Jigawa, honoured the invitation extended to the 36 states of the federation.
The committee also summoned leadership of the National Emergency Management Agency, while re-inviting others.
Isiaka partly said, “Those that refused to cause appearance here, or refused to respond to our letters, anyone willing to test the capacity of this committee will not be disappointed. It is very obvious that people are just paying lip service in his country and being frivolous about the clamour for devolution of powers, such that the urge to always go cap-in-hand to the centre by states.”
