Reps probe NEMA over alleged theft of N17 billion meant for disaster victims

The House of Representatives has resolved to probe into alleged theft of about N17 billion by top echelon of the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA).

The House, adopting a motion sponsored by Mr. Benjamin Wayo at the plenary presided by Speaker Yakubu Dogara, directed its Committee on Emergency and Disaster to ascertain the veracity of the claim and report back within six weeks.

Wayo, in his motion, alleged that NEMA’s Director-General, Mustapha Maihaja, in collaboration with top officials of the agency, siphoned N10 billion received from the 20 per cent Ecological Fund last year, N5 billion for hunger intervention in the North-East and about N2 billion for flood intervention across the country.

He further accused Maihaja of awarding contracts to companies he has personal interest in as well as violating his approval limits by awarding contracts to a single firm without due process.

He claimed that one of such firms was Olam, which got a contract of N2.4 billion which is against the agency’s approval limit as stated in Section 16 sub-section 1 of the NEMA Act.

The lawmaker, who represents Kwande /Ushongo Federal Constituency of Benue State on the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC), claimed that NEMA has yet to give necessary attention to disasters due to the alleged theft of such monies.

The House also adopted the motion sponsored by Mr. Abubakar Sarki Dahiru aimed at ensuring provision of infrastructure such as roads, healthcare centres, drainages and electricity at the Karu/Mararaba area of Nasarawa State.

It also urged the Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Ibrahim Idris, to provide more police stations and personnel in the area.