By Nathaniel Zaccheaus, Abuja
The National Assembly Joint Committees on Works on Tuesday summoned the Nigeria Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG) and Petroleum Tanker Drivers Union over the alleged diversion of N621bn road fund.
The leadership of the two unions had alleged that the fund earmarked for the rehabilitation and reconstruction of federal roads was hijacked by the Federal Ministry of Works and Housing together with some governors.
The joint committees invited both the Minister of Works, Babatunde Fashola and the leadership of both unions to respond to the allegation but the latter failed to honour the invitation.
Uncomfortable by the development, the Chairman of the joint committee, Senator Adamu Aliero (APC, Kebbi) described the leadership of both NUPENG and tanker drivers as “liar and irresponsible”.
He, therefore, asked them to reappear before the panel “in the next seven days.”
Aliero said, “For someone to make this grave allegation and was allowed to defend the allegations and decided not to come is either a liar or irresponsible.
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“We are not going to take it lightly with them. We are going to compel them to appear and speak on the allegation.”
“We have summoned both NUPENG and the Petroleum Tanker Drivers to come and defend the allegation made that N621bn has been hijacked by the federal ministry of Works and Housing together with some governors and this money is meant for the rehabilitation and reconstruction of 21 roads in the country.
“We felt that this allegation is grave. We need to investigate it properly to ascertain the veracity of the claim. That’s why we call the Ministry of Works and the minister responded with his directors.
“Members of the Senate and House Committees on Works are here. We don’t take allegations that have to do with public funds lightly. This is taxpayers’ money. We want to ensure that it is properly investigated. If they don’t come, we will compel them. We will issue a warrant.”
