By Nathaniel Zacchaeus, Abuja
A House of Representatives member from the Abi/Yakurr federal constituency of Cross River State, Dr Alex Egbona, has appealed to President Bola Tinubu to attach their portfolio to the ministerial list that would be sent to the National Assembly for screening and confirmation.
He appealed while speaking with journalists in Abuja at the weekend at the graduation ceremony of the advanced leadership programme of the GOTNI National Leadership Centre.
The programme, according to the Chief Executive Officer of the Centre, was a five-day training on leadership, with 21 participants made of top government functionaries and captains of industry.
Egbona, who was also a participant in the training, said attaching portfolios to the ministerial list would enable senators to ask the appropriate questions that are relevant to the ministry that the nominees are proposed to handle.
He, however, defended the ‘bow and go’ screening policy of the Senate which shields ministerial nominees from rigorous questioning, saying it
He said the culture was intended to strengthen comradeship with nominees with legislative experience.
He appealed to leaders and members of the 10th National Assembly to take the issue of oversight function very seriously.
Egbona said, “To some extent, it is wrong to send ministers’ names without portfolio. Though it is the Senate arm of the National Assembly that screens ministers but we believe very soon, the president, in the next two to three weeks will send the names of ministers and may even attach them portfolios.
“Most times, what the Senate does was to ask general questions but if it comes with portfolio and they say for instance, Mr AYZ, you are the proposed minister of agriculture, all the questions will be towards agric. So if the President attaches ministry to the names, it will be very good.
“On oversight, in the 9th National Assembly, I have had the opportunity to attend some oversight but was not too encouraged with what we did.
“If you go to a ministry or parastatal, scrutinize what they are doing and if they are not doing well, bring a report saying they are not doing well. There should not be hide-and-seek business in oversight. That is what the 10th agenda is saying”.
The GOTNI boss had earlier, appealed to the President to appoint only people who are action-oriented and filled with pursuit of service beyond self as ministers.
He urged said Tinubu to “find individuals who are passionate in specific areas to take charge, those who have competence, knowledge, and have the leadership capital and have the capacity to think differently.”
