Representatives Committee on Finance, on Thursday, walked
out the Coordinating Minister of Economy and Minister of Finance, Dr Ngozi
Okonjo-Iweala, from its meeting it called over the state of the economy of the
country from January till date.
The minister, alongside the
Accountant-General of the Federation, Mr Jonah Ogunniyi Otunla, had appeared
before the committee, chaired by Honourable Abdulmumin Jibrin, but trouble
started when she told the committee that she was not feeling fine and that she
honoured the invitation out of respect.
“I must tell you that I’m feeling
sick. For the past one week, I’ve not had sleep, so I’m not feeling fine. But I
had to come because I respect the parliament and the committee.
“I’ll try my best to respond to your
questions as much as possible, and my other colleagues who are also here with
me will contribute,” she said.
Following her explanations,
Honourable Jibrin, in consultation with other members of the committee, ruled
that they could not take on the minister but that they would give her “the 50
questions” for which she must respond to in writing.
According to him, “we’re not
insensitive to your situation as human beings and if you had told us this
before now, we would have given you some time. We have 50 questions for you and
we can give you time to respond in writing.”
Trouble, however, started when the
minister insisted that she should be allowed to respond to the questions,
saying “since I’m here now, I want to respond to the questions in person.”
The chairman insisted that he had
ruled and there was no going back on the matter, insisting that the minister
should provide written answers within two weeks and appear before the committee
in January.
The minister said “I know you have
ruled, but you have to hear me out. You haven’t allowed me to say something and
everybody is here seeing what is happening.”
When the situation became tensed,
Honourable Jibrin walked out Okonjo-Iweala, saying “you know I have ruled and
if you don’t mind, please excuse us. Members should stay behind for executive
meeting. We don’t want any haphazard answers, so you can go honourable
minister.”
Okonjo-Iweala, however, insisted that
the committee should hear her out, stating that “I will manage to answer the
questions. I won’t answer you haphazardly. I know my health and I assure you
that I can answer you well along with my other colleagues here.”
The response did not go down well
with the chairman of the committee, who responded that “I’m sorry honourable
minister. You can only decide what happens in the finance ministry and not in
the House.”
Okonjo-Iweala, who was not happy with
the situation, said “I have uttermost respect for the committee and expect same
from you. I’m a minister of the Federal Republic. When you invite ministers,
you should treat them with respect. We can’t be invited and be abused.”
Tags
Politics
See the shallow reasoning of these Legislators. Sorry Mrs. Iweala, those lagislators have complex problem, they are just intemidated by ɣ☺ΰr presence and international cum academic repute.
ReplyDeleteMumu
Delete@7:00am sorry to you and iweala
DeleteCarry go.
What do you expect from a committee heralded by illiterate Northerners. God save Nigeria from their greed!!!
ReplyDeleteWhy would she bring health related issues when she knows she is sound enough to answer them in the 1st place? They are been kind to her by saying she should go and answer them in written. So why is she complaining? And to you fools, Don't think anyone is afraid of anything about her, they hv been inviting and questioning her in the past.
ReplyDeleteShe really messed up, she shouldn't have brought in health related issues @ all. I guess she wanted 2 hide under the disguise of health issues 2 shy away 4rm some questions.
DeleteShe can only do that to her boy in the Finance ministry, not to people that are man enough to be her father.
ReplyDeleteNo sentiments here, the committee did what is to be done, afterall she claimed her health was bad. The chairman is benevolent enough by asking her to go and answer those questions in her office. Chikena!
ReplyDeleteTo me the both of them are at fault. I just hope the pple in the house are not following there selfish interest. She the minister started on the wrong note. 4 her to be present she doesn't have any right to say she is feeling sick. Now she has prolonged the committe and d fact finding till january
ReplyDelete@9:39 am you have only listed the fault Of the minister. The house have done what is right or what do you expect?
DeleteHowever benevolent I must say the Chairman was hash and his comments weren't friendly enough. Well the Min should take to fate and respond conveniently to the 50 questions on schedule.
ReplyDeleteAnonymous 7:24 am utterly disappointed in you.how would you trust a woman who denied not stoping river state water project only for a staff ofADB to confirm her dangerous game in all the fracas in Rivers. She is a total failure to her family. She studied in US , is she oblivion of the enormous constitutional power of American house of representative? She is taking Nigerians for granted because of the impunity masterminded by Jonathan , the imminent revolution will surely sweep her into her grave. I want to use this medium to also talk to those who read my comments . I am not a card carrying member of any political party but believe vehemently in good governance and corruption free Nigeria. Every unbiased observer of Nigerian politics will realize that Jonathan's administration is more corrupt than that of Abacha. Nigerian should take Obasanjo's allegations seriously because I have been wondering what is bringing Asari Dokibo and Al Mstafa together if not for ominous intention geared towards 2015
ReplyDeletewat d Hon. Members did is right, & he just told her wat is true "she can only deside in d finance min. not in d house"
ReplyDeleteDat president's house girl should go back to her Boss,mumu.
ReplyDeleteWe dont hv respect for each other in this contry, someone told you she is not feeling fine that I hv respect for the house of rep, simple English Why misunderstanding the woman, they are not showing power for God sake, just throw the question and let her be d victim, some of house of rep members are not matured enough to be called Honorable men . Nwachinemelu 4rom Yenagoa Bayelsa State.
ReplyDelete@11:39 In english language when you say I am sick then you are sick and you need medical attention and mind you she is a lady and has to be treated like one and this Honourable men did just that.
ReplyDeleteHow can you come to the house in front of three hundread + and say you are sick and expect the chairman to say continue? You would have lebbelled him sa heratless.
Morever if she collapse as she is adressing them who would be responsible?
Next time if you are sick stay at home. Your conterpart on aviation is always granted excuses for any reason whenver she request so from the house learn from your friend.
Some commentators here are fools. She told them she was sick and upon being told that there are just 50 questions for her, as a person who knows her field at finger tips and also as one who knows what she is doing, she asked them to continue. The fools if they really know what to ask should have asked the questions. But as cowards and illiterates that they are, they were cowed by her stance. I love Iweala, she is intelligent, wise, knowledgeable, apt, efficient and a master of her field. They thought she was an address- reading type like them. That was why I love the trilogies then - Iweala, Nnaji and Aganga. Astitute Professionals. Call them anytime and they will give answers once it has to do with their ministries. May God bless Iweala. She is tolerating all these insults from those bunkums simply because she doesn't want Nigerian project to fail. If not for Nigerian, can Abdulmumu or whatever his name is be admitted to sit where Ngozi sits. Sorry darling. Just continue. Your name is already written in gold in the hearts of enlightened people worldwide
ReplyDelete@12:23 Thank you my bro, you will live long.
ReplyDelete