Reps begin probe of $22 billion Brass LNG project

Urge Buhari to rehabilitate affected public infrastructure in Jos crisis

The House of Representatives has set up an ad-hoc committee to investigate the expenditure and implementation of the $22 billion Brass Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG).It also resolved that the committee should report back to the House within six weeks for further legislative action.

This resolution followed the adoption of a motion by O. K. Chinda, who noted that the state of affairs surrounding the NNPC’s Brass LNG project is a concern.Chinda said there had been several allegations of abuse and mismanagement of funds totalling about $22 billion meant for take-off and running of the project.

Also, he said the project had been stuck in the planning stage for more than a decade, with some Western partners having pulled out because of tough operating conditions and an unfavourable investment environment.In another vein, the House has urged President Muhammadu Buhari to set up a committee similar to that of the North-East Zone to intervene and rehabilitate individuals, communities and public infrastructure affected by the Jos crisis.

It mandated its Committee on Special Duties to ensure compliance following the adoption of a motion moved by Johnbull Shekarau. Shekarau, while moving the motion, said Plateau State had suffered series of ethno-religious crises in the recent past resulting to loss of hundreds of lives and destruction of public infrastructure and private property worth hundreds of billions of naira.

He noted that several efforts were made involving the local, state and federal governments in collaboration with spirited individuals and organisations within and outside the country to bring back lasting peace in the state.