Senator
Abatemi Nurudeen-Usman representing Kogi Central senatorial district yesterday
had sharp disagreement with the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory
(FCT), Mr. Bala Mohammed, following the former's allegation that FCT
Administration was condoning indiscipline among transport operators.
The senator,
who said the situation implied absence of leadership in FCTA, added that the
trend always caused heavy traffic in various parts of the city.
The
altercation occurred when Mohammed appeared before the Senate Committee on FCT
to defend the 2014 budget estimates of the FCTA.
The
senator's allegation exasperated the minister who said the comment was intended
to malign his personality, saying he was insinuating that the rascality and
impunity by transport operators in FCT more or less implied an absence of
leadership.
"I feel insulted by your comment. I see it as an attack on my integrity and I take exception to it.
You cannot tell me that is the absence of leadership," Bala fumed.
But Abatemi-Usman insisted that his observation was not meant to question the minister's integrity, saying it was rather meant to serve as a wake up call on his administration, over the menace of motorists in the nation's capital.
"I feel insulted by your comment. I see it as an attack on my integrity and I take exception to it.
You cannot tell me that is the absence of leadership," Bala fumed.
But Abatemi-Usman insisted that his observation was not meant to question the minister's integrity, saying it was rather meant to serve as a wake up call on his administration, over the menace of motorists in the nation's capital.
"I want
the public to note that I make no attempt to attack or talk about your
integrity. I am only bringing to your attention issues that have been going on
and I hope that this is a wake up call," he said.
After a
moment of tensed tension, the minister's anger subsided and consequently
apologised to the senator. "I am apologising for reacting because I felt
insulted but whatever, I am your servant and the servant of Nigeria, I would
take anything," he said.
Tags
Nass
The senator is right.
ReplyDelete