Reps issue Fire Service 7-day ultimatum to pay over N1bn COVID fund – FRCN HQ
The House of Representatives has ordered the Federal Fire Service to refund one point four billion naira to the Federation Account within the next seven days.
The directive came after several invitations by the green Chamber for the Federal Fire Service to appear before the House Committee to explain how the COVID-19 intervention funds allocated to the service was utilized.
The Chairman, House Committee on Public Account, Mr. Bamidele Salami, gave the order during it resumed hearing probing on COVID-19 intervention funds.
According to the House Committee on Public Account, the Accounting fficer of the Service should refund the said money, following it refusal to honour the Committee’s invitation for the 4th time.
Mr. Salami, said the refusal to honor house invitation by Service was outright disregard for constituted authority that empowers the committee to carryout its legislative duties.
The committee, expressed concerns that the fire service may be taking the constitutional committee for granted which will not be accepted by the legislative Arm.
Meanwhile, the committee however gave the Nigeria Center for Disease Control and Prevention, NCDC, Accountant General office and ministry of Agriculture, the final invitation to appear before them to explain the COVID-19 funds they received.
Reporting by Tanimu Salihu; Editing by Omolola Ameen