Reps To Probe Ministry of Agriculture Over N18.6bn Spent To Clear Bush, Prepare Land

House of Representatives have summoned some companies to provide answers, as the lawmakers probe the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development’s expenses.

The lawmakers disclosed that the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development’s spent N18.6 billion on bush clearing and land preparation in some constituencies

However, lawmakers in the unnamed constituencies are not aware of the projects. The Committee on Public Accounts, led by Oluwole Oke, made the disclosure during the House of Representatives public hearing.

Oke, a member of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and a representative of Osun State, said companies involved in the bush clearing, land preparation, as well as rehabilitation of soil and plant laboratories, have been summoned.

He didn’t reveal the identities of the firms and date of their appearance in the lower chamber, but it was gathered that their invitation became necessary when the explanation of representatives of Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development was not convincing.

Speaking on the decision taken to probe the N18.6 billion disbursed between 2013 and 2021, Oke said, “We invited the Ministry of Agriculture and they have made submission.

“But some of our members whose constituencies these projects were supposed to be domiciled doubted the existence of these projects.

“For fair hearing, we have invited the companies that got the contract for them to come and tell this committee where and when the jobs were executed.” Oke said.