Ignatius Okorocha, Abuja
Senate on Thursday mandated its President, Godswill Akpabio to invoked its constitutional powers to issue a warrant of arrest to compel the appearance of the Managing Director of Julius Berger Nigeria Plc., Dr. Peer Lubasch before its Committee on Works at the rescheduled investigative hearing after alleged persistent refusal in the past.
The resolution followed a motion raised via Point of Order over the company’s refusal to honour invitations to provide details on the Odukpani-Itu Highway project located in Cross River and Akwa Ibom States by the Senate Minority Whip, Senator Osita Ngwu (PDP Enugu West) and co-sponsored by Senators Asuquo Ekpenyong (APC Cross River South) and Barinada Mpigi (PDP Rivers South East), during plenary.
Presenting the motion, Senator Ngwu informed that the highway connects Odukpani town in Cross River State to Itu in Akwa Ibom State, serving as a critical link for transportation and economic activities in the South-South region.
He wondered why the company management was afraid of appearing before the panel to provide details of their role in the project despite receiving the huge amount of N18billion.
The lawmaker added that the Senate Committee on Works required explanations on projects abandonment and alarming contract variation from N54billion to N195billion by the company.
President of the Senate, Senator Godswill Akpabio, said the date for compelling appearance of Julius Berger before the Committee on Works, would be stated in the arrest warrant.
Senator Ngwu in the motion said: “Julius Berger Nigeria Plc, has neglected and refused to honour invitations to provide details of their role in the Odukpani – Itu Highway project, despite receiving substantial public funds amounting to over N18billion .
“The alarming discrepancies in performance among contractors on these projects, with specific reference to Julius Berger for failing to meet
He said the National Assembly under Sections 88 and 89 of the 1999 Constitution (as amended) is constitutionally empowered to conduct investigations and summon any person or organization responsible for administering public funds.
Senator Ngwu further recognizes the powers set out in Section 6(1) of the Legislative Houses (Powers and Privileges) Act, which empowers the Senate to issue warrants of arrest for persons in contempt of its proceeding.
He noted the termination of Julius Berger’s contract for the Odukpani-Itu Highway project due to demobilization and refusal to accept contract review terms, despite their initial contract value of N54,172,541,180.03billion and subsequent request for an upward review to N195 billion.
Consequently, he request the Senate to “invoke the constitutional powers of the National Assembly as provided in Section 89(1)(c) and (d) of the 1999 Constitution to issue a warrant of arrest to compel the attendance of the Managing Director of Julius Berger Nigeria Plc at the rescheduled investigative hearing.”
In their contributions, Senators, though were divided on the motion, condemned the company’s refusal to honour lawful invitations from the Red Chamber, which they said constitutes contempt of the National Assembly and undermines constitutional authority.
While Senators like Orji Uzor Kalu (APC Abia North), Abdul Ningi (PDP Bauchi Central), Joel Onowakpo Thomas (APC Delta) wanted the warrant of arrest to be issued by the Senate President for compelling appearance of Julius Berger MD before the Senate, others like Senators Seriake Dickson (PDP Bayelsa West), Adams Oshiomhole (APC Edo North) and Ahmad Lawan (APC Yobe North), argued that the matter should be handled at committee level .
