Godswill Akpabio, the president of the Senate, has tasked the panel members looking into the N30 trillion “Ways and Means” loans that the Federal Government obtained from the Godwin Emefiele-led Central Bank of Nigeria to uncover every detail of the institution.
The panel was also tasked with looking into the CBN’s N1 trillion Anchor Borrower Program from the previous administration.
Speaking on Monday in Abuja, Akpabio assigned the 17-member Ad-hoc Committee tasked with looking into the N30 trillion loan taken out during the previous administration of President Muhammadu Buhari a six-week task.Akpabio also cautioned the lawmakers to avoid partisan and personal conflicts, concentrate on the work at hand, and carry out their duties with the utmost impartiality, balance, and dedication.
Aware of the delicate nature of the current investigation, Akpabio urged them to stay in constant contact with pertinent parties and experts in order to offer priceless insights, all the while keeping lines of communication open with the public and the executive branch.But he also instructed the panel that until the task was finished, no part of the report could be disclosed to the public.”We are gathered here today with a common goal – to establish an important Ad-Hoc Committee,” stated Akpabio.
This committee was established with the purpose of investigating ways and means, including the Anchor Borrowers’ Program. It was formed in response to the report of the Joint Committees on Banking, Insurance and Other Financial Institutions; Finance; National Planning; Agriculture; and Appropriations, which had engaged with the Federal Government’s Economic Management Team.
“This committee’s charter demonstrates the Senate’s steadfast dedication to openness, responsibility, and sound governance. It is evidence of our commitment to resolving Nigerians’ issues and preserving democratic values.I beg of you, members of this distinguished committee, to carry out your duties with the highest professionalism, integrity, and sense of patriotism.
Given the delicate nature of the ongoing investigation, Akpabio encouraged them to maintain open lines of communication with the public and the executive branch while maintaining constant contact with relevant parties and experts to provide invaluable insights.
We have to investigate every possibility in order to find the truth. As a result, make in-depth investigations and gather data to help the Senate draft laws that will benefit our nation.
“The success of this Ad-Hoc committee depends on collaboration, cooperation, and a steadfast commitment to the common good,” stated the Senate President, offering further direction. Let us put aside partisanship and personal agendas and concentrate only on the current task.
We can make sure that Nigeria’s Ways and Means are managed sensibly, effectively, and legally by cooperating with one another.
Furthermore, maintaining confidentiality is essential to your job. Sensitive information and data that we collect throughout our investigations need to be handled with extreme caution and discretion.
Strict adherence to procedures will guarantee the confidentiality and accuracy of the data you find.
Jibrin Isah, the ad hoc committee’s chairman, promised Nigerians that the group would not abandon them on this matter.”The Anchor Borrowers Program and the Ways and Means have taken over the public sphere in the last few months,” he stated.
“There have been a number of distortions; the methods and means have sparked a variety of conversations among people and organizations seeking perspectives and explanations.
“He continued by saying he thought Nigerians were eager to hear the investigation’s conclusion.”I want to reassure you that we will complete this assignment quickly and without compromising in any way.
“In order to facilitate our work, I would like to humbly ask all parties involved to kindly provide documents upon request.
We intend to work tirelessly to create something of which Nigerians can be truly proud.
Senators Asuquo Ekpenyong (APC, Cross River South), Mohammed Tahir Monguno (APC, Borno North), Victor Umeh (LP, Anambra Central), and Olamilekan Adeola (APC, Ogun West) make up the committee, which is chaired by Senator Jibrin Isah (APC, Kogi East).Senators Aliyu Wadada (SDP, Nasarawa), Abdul Ningi (PDP, Bauchi Central), Ipalibo Banigo Harry (PDP, Rivers West), and Sani Musa (APC, Niger East) are the others.