Lagos Assembly summons Waterfront commissioner

The Lagos State House of Assembly has asked the Commissioner for Waterfront to appear before its committee on Thursday over his ministry’s activities.

The House made the summon after a motion was moved by the Chairman of the Committee on Waterfront, Hon. Jimoh Wahab at plenary on Tuesday.

Wahab described as unacceptable the commissioner’s incessant refusal to honour invitation extended to him by the Committee.

He said the commissioner had been invited severally to provide some clarifications over his ministerial activities but did not show up.

According to the chairman, the commissioner is making the assignment difficult for the committee.

Wahab noted that his ministry was yet to submit documents for the ongoing mid-year budget review.

He, therefore, prayed the house to give the committee the privilege to carry out an investigation on the activities of the commissioner and the ministry since his assumption of office.

“I want to bring the unacceptable conduct of the Commissioner for Waterfront before the house.

“Severally, the committee has invited him for some clarification over his ministerial activity but yet to show up.

“He is making the assignment of the committee so difficult.

“As you all know, The mid year budget review is going on and as of present, the document has not been submitted to the committee.

“I would implore the house to give the committee the privilege to carry out an investigation on the activities of the commissioner and the ministry since his assumption of office.” He said.
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Hon. Bisi Yusuf (Alimosho 1) stated that it is not good for those who come to the house for confirmation to become overlord thereafter.

Yusuf, therefore, prayed that the committee should be given the necessary wherewithal to ensure that the right thing is done and the image of the house is not trampled upon.

“It is not good for those who come to the house to obtain confirmation and thereafter becomes overlord.

Hon. Abiodun Tobun (Epe 1) described the commissioner’s act as an aberration, unacceptable and prejudice to the constitution.

He, therefore, pleaded the house to allow the committee to invite him for questioning.

Hon. Victor Akande (Ojo 1) noted that there was no ambiguity in the constitution regarding the powers of the house towards oversight functions.

Victor urged the house to invoke sections of the constitution on the commissioner.

In his ruling, the Speaker, Hon. Mudashiru Obasa appealed to the House to give the commissioner till Thursday to present himself with all the necessary documents before the committee.