OrderPaperToday- The House of Representatives is seeking detailed explanations from Interior Minister, Rauf Aregbesola on plans by the Federal Government to bring all major paramilitary agencies in the country under one governing board.
House Leader, Alhassan Ado Doguwa, who presided over the meeting alongside some chairmen of relevant committees grilled the Minister at the National Assembly.
A development that became necessary following the National Assembly’s consideration for passage; an Executive bill seeking the creation of the new board.
According to Doguwa, “it is necessary for us to seek explanation on some provisions of the proposed amendment; in particular why the Ministry wants all these large entities put under one board.”
“And another provision in the bill is seeking the appointment of four commissioners for the board which in our view could be a financial burden on government’s purse,” he told the visiting Minister.
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Accompanied by some management staff of the Ministry, the Minister told the lawmakers that the aim of amendment includes “aligning the functions and structure of the organisations.”
“This meeting is in respect of an executive bill seeking amendment to the Nigeria Immigration and Prisons Governing Board, to bring the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corp and the Federal Fire Service under the purview of the Board to conform with related laws and practices,” Aregbesola said.
OrderPaper also learnt that the bill covers matters of recruitment, promotion, remunerations, and discipline respectively.
The lawmakers, however, assured the Minister that the House leadership would be briefed accordingly, to enable the House make an informed decision on the Committee’s report.
