Tambuwal: we ‘ll implement report

By Victor Oluwasegun and Dele Anofi, Abuja 

Tambuwal

The House of Representatives is determined to ensure implementation of the report of its fuel subsidy committee, Speaker Aminu Tambuwal said yesterday.

Tambuwal said: “On the issue of the report, this House has debated the report and passed the report. Of course, the House, through oversight of its committees, will continue to follow up all the agencies of government which have been directed to take up these issues by the House.

“It is not that the matter is beyond our purview. Our committees and anti-corruption agencies will do a follow up of this report, whether anybody likes it or not,” he said.

Tambuwal spoke while receiving the joint National Executive Council (NEC) of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and the Trade Union Congress (TUC), led by Abdulwahed Omar and Peter Esele.

Speaking on the bill sponsored by the Senate to stop protests by organised labour, he assured the labour leaders that “parliament will not make any effort to stifle the freedom of the citizens as guaranteed by the Constitution. We would rather do those things that will strengthen our freedom, unity and democracy.

“It is part of democratic principle to allow people to associate. As long as what you are doing is within the confines of the law, we see no problem with that. Therefore, be rest assured that if at all such a bill will come to the House, we will look at it and ensure that constitutionally, what ought to be done is not only done but done correctly.”

Tambuwal cautioned political office holders. He said: “I will like to admonish our brothers and sisters in power that power is transient. That situation in Malawi is a good lesson for everybody in power. Those of us who are privileged by God to be in positions of authority should be cautious in exercising whatever powers we have.”

Tambuwal urged religious leaders to mind their comments on the activities of Boko Haram.

“Religious leaders should be more cautious in their comments over Boko Haram. Boko Haram is not purely religious. They are out to destroy the nation,” he said.

NLC President Omar said labour was in support of the House on the fuel subsidy probe.

“We want to assure you that organised labour will be behind you. We want the report to be taken to its logical conclusion; all those culprits must be brought to book.

“The path you are treading is the right path; whoever rises up to do the right thing must be allowed to continue,” said Omar.

The NLC boss described National Assembly members as true representatives of the people who must be allowed to carry out their work.

“If we must practise democracy, this arm of government must be allowed to do the right thing.”

Esele noted that sovereignty of the Nigerian people resides in the National Assembly.

He said the National Assembly should ensure that Nigerians were not denied their freedom in the name of anti-people law.

According to him, the congress would ensure that those indicted in the fuel subsidy report were prosecuted.

SOURCE:  4 May 2012.