24 March 2016, Port Harcourt – A former acting Managing Director of Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), Pastor Power Aginighan, has said the recent order by the Senate Committee on Niger Delta on the contractor executing the Otueke Road in Bayelsa State to stop work was clearly an act of usurpation of executive powers by the legislative arm of government.
In a statement issued on Wednesday in Port Harcourt, Aginighan said the effective performance of oversight function by the Legislature over the executive arm of government should aim at ensuring that the citizens are not short-changed in the implementation of the various projects of government.
He said, “It is proper for the National Assembly to send their observations during oversight visits to the appropriate government agencies for necessary action. National Assembly has no role in the execution of any government contract as it is not an awarding authority.
“I therefore call on the Senate Committee on Niger Delta to concentrate on the oversight function, advise the NDDC Management if need be on observed lapses and submit their report the Senate to which it is responsible. The Committee should avoid unnecessarily playing to the gallery by issuing unenforceable directives to any contractor.”
- This Day