TheCable

A satellite town development agency will be established in the federal capital territory (FCT) with or without the input of Mohammad Bello, the minister, a house of representatives committee has said.

The house committee on FCT area councils and ancillary matters chaired by Zaphaniah Jisalo took this position after Bello who was represented by Babatope Ajakaiye, the permanent secretary, failed to contribute to the bill at a public hearing on Thursday.

The committee was consulting stakeholders on two bills namely: ” A bill for an act to provide the establishment of Satellite town development agency to be charged with the responsibility for development of satellite town and other related matters.

“And a bill for an act to provide for the administration and political structure of area councils of federal capital territory and for other related matters.”

But the minister said he could not contribute to the bill because he would have to get approval from the president to do so.

“Given the bureaucratic process of government, we are unable to contribute to the bill. We will need the approval of the president,” he said.

At this point, the lawmakers began expressing their displeasure at the failure of the FCT minister to contribute to the bills.

The lawmakers said the minister’s reasons for not contributing to the bill was not “excusable”, noting that the FCT was losing huge revenue because of poor administration.

“It is important for the FCTA to give their input whether in support or not, for you to back out of this hearing without making your own input can end up affecting the FCTA,” Chukwudi Jones said.

On his part, Jisalo said the national assembly could not be appropriating money to the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) that would not be accounted for.

“This is a people’s parliament where every one lend their voice, I am not pleased with the ministers comment, you can’t be taking money and cannot account for that money,” Jisalo said.

“We are trying to put a law to make sure this money you are collecting are accounted for, whether you are ready or not, it is your cup of tea.”