Reps. decline consideration of NDIC budget for flaunting oversea travel directive

The House of Representatives on Monday declined the consideration of the 2020 budget estimates of Nigerian Deposit Insurance Corporation (NDIC) sequel to the Chief Executive Officer/MD, Alhaji Umaru Ibrahim’s disregard for President Muhammadu Buhari’s directive prohibiting oversea travels during the 2020 budget defence.

Chairman, House Committee on Insurance and Actuarial, Hon. Darlington Nwokocha, who declared the Committee’s resolution explained that section 88 of the 1999 Constitution (as amended) empowers the House to investigate any Agency of government with the view to look into the records on any matters as well as expose corruption.

While noting that the power of the Committee and the House is not in question regarding law-making and oversight function, Hon. Nwokocha maintained that the Committee decision is tied to the rules of engagement and the established understanding with the Executive.

While acknowledging the formal letter notifying the Committee of the NDIC CEO’s absence, maintained that there are certain questions requiring the response of the Chief accounting officer, adding that it would amount to wasting legislative hours for the subordinates to take such responsibility.

In his intervention, Deputy Chairman of the Committee, Hon. Jaha Ahmed who raised a Point of Order, harped on the need for the accounting officer of the Corporation to give a comprehensive budget defence to the Committee as provided by extant laws.