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The House of Representatives Committee on ICT, chaired by Hon. Adedeji Dhikrullahi Olajide, has rejected the budget proposal of the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) due to the commission’s failure to appear before the committee to defend its budget.
This development, according to Tolu Mustapha, Special Adviser, Media and Public Affairs to Hon. Adedeji Dhikrullahi Olajide came up after the Minister for Digital Economy, Dr. Bosun Tijani and the NCC management refused to appear before the joint committee on communication and Digital, Information Communication Technology,despite repeated invitations, to explain its budgetary provisions and justify its expenditures.
The committee discovered that the NCC has been spending money without budgetary provisions and approval, a violation of the fiscal responsibility act and the constitution.
Hon. Olajide, while speaking during plenary at wednesday’s sitting of the house expressed the committee’s dissatisfaction with the Minister and NCC’s actions, stating that such behavior will not be condoned by the legislature, which is saddled with the responsibility of having oversight functions over all activities of government, its agencies, and parastatals.
According to Hon. Adedeji Olajide, “This committee will not condone any disregard for the law while agencies of government flout the laws and violate the constitution.
We will ensure that all agencies of government are held accountable for their actions, and that the resources of this nation are utilized judiciously.”
The NCC’s failure to appear before the committee is a clear indication of its disregard for the legislative arm of government and its oversight functions.
The committee has been investigating the NCC’s financial dealings for several months, and this latest development has raised even more questions about the commission’s financial management.
The NCC’s budget proposal was meant to be defended before the committee, but the commission’s refusal to appear has stalled the process.
Findings revealed that this is not the first time that the NCC has been accused of financial impropriety. In 2020, the agency was accused of mismanaging funds meant for the development of the country’s digital economy.
The rejection of the NCC budget by the House of Representatives Committee on ICT is a clear indication that the legislature will no longer tolerate such financial recklessness and impunity.
The committee has vowed to continue its investigation into the NCC’s financial dealings and ensure that those responsible for any financial misconduct are held accountable.
Hon. Adedeji Dhikrullahi Olajide assured stakeholders that the committee, working in tandem with the leadership of the House of Representatives, will do everything possible to ensure that the sector continues to thrive despite the current challenges.
He said the legislature will no longer tolerate financial misconduct and impunity in government agencies, as all standing committees of the National Assembly are committed to their oversight functions and will not hesitate to take action against any agency or arm of government that violates the law.
