President of the Senate, Godswill Obot Akpabio, inaugurated the Ad-hoc Committee on Ways and Means on Monday.
The Committee investigates the N30 trillion the Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN, released to fund projects in President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration.
The funds passed through the National Assembly without details despite the executive branch’s commitment to providing them.
In his inaugural address, the Senate President urged the committee members to be impartial, non-compromising, and confidential when handling committee affairs.
The Committee followed the adopted resolution of the Senate Joint Committees on Banking, Insurance and other Financial Institutions; Finance; National Planning; Agriculture; and Appropriations.
Akpabio said the 10th Senate believes in transparency, accountability and good governance, adding that the Committee should prove their commitments as Nigerians are agitating to know how the huge sums of money were used.
The 17 Committee members with Jibrin Isah representing Kogi East Senatorial District as Chairman, were charged to be confidential and keep their investigations away from the prying eyes of journalists.
Akpabio said: “The constitution of this committee is a testament to the Senate’s unwavering commitment to transparency, accountability, and good governance. It reflects our dedication to addressing the concerns of the Nigerian people and upholding the principles of democracy.
“To the members of this esteemed committee, I implore you to approach your responsibilities with the utmost sense of patriotism, professionalism and integrity.
“Your investigation demands impartiality and fairness, always keeping the public interest and the welfare of our nation at the forefront.
“We must leave no stone unturned in our pursuit of the truth. Therefore, conduct thorough enquiries and dig out information that will assist the Senate in making laws for the betterment of our country.”
While thanking the Senate President, the Chairman of the Committee, Jibrin Isah, assured the committee of the panel to the task given to them.
He emphasised that they will not compromise their responsibility given the Nigerians’ interest in what happened to the N30 trillion Ways and Means.
The inauguration was attended by Wale Edun, the Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy; Olayemi Cardoso, the CBN Governor; Oluwatoyin Madein, the Accountant General of the Federation; Shaakaa Chira, the Auditor-General of the Federation; Patience Oniha, the Director General of the Debt Management Office (DMO); and beneficiary ministries, departments, agencies, and institutions.
