By Ikenna Osuoha
The Deputy Spokesperson for House of Representatives, Rep. Philip Agbese, has dismissed claims that the Minister of Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, had engaged in borrowings for the nation’s capital without the approval of the National Assembly.
Agbese, a member of Labour Party from Benue, said this at a news conference in Abuja on Thursday.
He was reacting to recent claim by Sen. Ireti Kingibe, who represents the FCT in the Senate that the FCT Administration under Wike engaged in borrowings without securing the approval of the national assembly.
The senator said she had raised concerns with the senate leadership over the alleged borrowings, insisting that she had never seen Wike appear before the upper chamber to seek approval for any loan.
But Agbese dismissed Kingibe’s claims, describing the minister as one of the most legislatively compliant public servants under the scrutiny of the national assembly.
The lawmaker said that it was misleading to suggest that Wike had circumvented the national assembly or acted outside the law in securing funds for projects in the FCT.
According to Agbese, the processes governing public borrowings involve the appropriate constitutional and administrative authorities, adding that the Wike cannot unilaterally create a sovereign borrowing obligation outside those established processes.
Agbese said that Wike had consistently subjected the FCT administration’s activities to legislative scrutiny, including the presentation and consideration of its budgets and appearances before relevant committees of the national assembly.
He said that the minister’s record of engagement with the legislature contradicted any suggestion that he had deliberately operated outside legislative oversight.
“Wike has committed no infraction in borrowings. There is no basis for the allegation that he has been borrowing money behind the back of the national assembly,” Agbese said.
He said an increase in the FCT’s debt profile should not, on its own, be interpreted as evidence that the minister had violated the law governing borrowings.
Rather, the lawmaker commended Wike for what he called the unprecedented expansion in infrastructure development in the FCT.
He particularly lauded the minister for massive road constructions, rehabilitation, transportation infrastructure and other development projects across the federal capital.
According to him, the increase in FCT’s debt profile should be considered alongside the volume of ongoing infrastructure projects in the territory under Wike.
Agbese argued that financing infrastructure through lawful borrowings could not, in itself, constitute an offence, stressing that the critical issue was whether the required approvals and procedures were being followed.
He also faulted what he described as an attempt to portray the FCT minister as someone operating without legislative oversight.
The deputy house spokesperson maintained that the national assembly had maintained oversight over the FCT administration and that Wike usually appeared before relevant legislative committees whenever required.
“Under our searchlight, the FCT minister is one of the most legislatively compliant public servants.
“He has consistently engaged the national assembly and subjected the activities of the FCT administration to legislative scrutiny,” he said.
Agbese said the legislature’s oversight role should be exercised through facts, documents and established procedures rather than political accusations.
He advised Kingibe to invite relevant authorities if there were borrowings that were found illegal, describing this as the appropriate approach.
The lawmaker also cautioned against conflicting the minister’s responsibility for administering the FCT with the constitutional responsibilities of the Federal Government and other institutions involved in public finance and debt management.
He said that Wike’s record in Abuja should be assessed on the basis of the projects executed, the processes followed and the measurable impacts of the FCT administration’s interventions rather than allegations that had not been established.(NAN)
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