The House of Representatives has said it will investigate the illegal sale of public property by government agencies between 2010 and 2022.
The Green Chamber also said it would probe the non-remittance of the revenue realised from such sales into the Consolidated Revenue Fund of the federation by the agencies.
It resolved to investigate the factors affecting the success of the operations of the Industrial Training Fund (ITF) scheme and non-implementation of the ITF Act by public and private organisations from 2010 to date.
The House resolution followed two separate motions by its members.
Hon. Oluwole Oke (PDP, Osun) had alleged that the illegal sale of government property had occurred at the Nigeria Ports Authority (NPA), the Nigeria Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), Nigeria Railway Corporation (NRC), River Basin Development Authority (RBDA) and Nigeria Customs Service (NCS).
According to him, the procedures for the disposal and auctioning of government assets are spelt out in Financial Regulations 2009, and the Public Procurement Act 2007, among others.
The lawmaker said the Constitution makes provisions for how the revenues realised from the disposal and auctioning of public property should be managed, adding that such funds must be remitted into the Consolidated Revenue Fund.
He said before any auctioning, the law provides that the Federal Ministry of Works must carry out proper valuation of the assets designated for auctioning, to show the original cost price of the asset, the date of acquisition and realisable value, among others.
Oke alleged that the aforementioned agencies had been auctioning public property not only at ridiculous prices but also without following due process.
Also, in his motion, Taofeek Ajilesoro (Ife Central/East/North/South Federal Constituency), the House resolve to investigate the level of compliance by Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) of the Federal Government and corporate bodies with the Industrial Training Fund Act.
The Green Chamber said the non-compliance had led to the underperformance of the agency.
Ajilesoro said Section 6 (1) and (3) of the Industrial Training Fund Act states thus: “Every employer, having either five or more employees in his establishment or having less than five employees but with a turnover of N50 million and above per annum, shall, in respect of each calendar year and or the prescribed date, contribute to the fund one per cent of his total annual payroll”.
The law, he said, also provides that any liable organisation – public or private – including companies situated in the free trade zone requiring approval for expatriate quota and/or utilising custom services in matters of export and import, must show proof of compliance with the Act in respect of payment of training contribution of his employees and all regulatory agencies of the Federal Government shall ensure compliance.
