NEMA boss incurs wrath of Reps, risks arrest

By Ebelechukwu Chukwubuikem

The Director General, National Emergency Management Agency, NEMA, Mustapha Maihaja has found himself on the wrong side of Nigeria’s lower legislative chamber, the House of Representatives.

The House of Representatives Committee on Emergency and Disaster Preparedness, probing alleged breach of trust by the NEMA has directed the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), the office of the Accountant General of the Federation, the ministry of Finance and other relevant parties to furnish the committee with all transaction details of N5. 6 billion funds released to four companies in relation to the Emergency Food Programme in the North East.

The committee says the documents will help it unravel the mystery surrounding release of funds and to establish whether it was given to the companies as a loan or under whatever condition.

The decision to ask for the documents arose when beneficiaries of the contract to mop up grains, which were said to have been distributed in the North East, and the accountant general of the federation said they were selected for the job without asking for a loan to finance it from the CBN, while the Central Bank, on the other hand, insisted that the N5.6 billion was a loan.

Chairman of the committee, Ali Isa, also summoned the director general of NEMA to appear in its next sitting or face a warrant of arrest issued on him to compel him to appear. The NEMA boss had failed on the last two occasions he was summoned by the committee.

Ali said the agency has a penchant for sending notice of its DG’s absence from the meeting either 30 minutes before the hearing commences or when the hearing has already commenced.

He added that the panel will give him one more chance to appear on the 31st of May, 2018, failing which he would face sanctions.