The House of Representatives committee on Public Petitions has invited the Managing Director of Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission to appear before it Tuesday to answer to an allegation of unsatisfactory performance in the discharge of its statutory functions, brought against it by a non-governmental organisation, Obasi Phearson Help Foundation.

The committee warned that should the Managing Director fail to appear in person, it might have no option than to order his arrest, just as the agency runs the risk of having the case decided based on the evidence provided by the petitioners alone.

"When we invite people to appear before us, most of them fail to realise that they are being offered a chance of fair hearing as we always strive to ensure that only justice is served. Answering to such calls form part of the duty public officers owe the citizens of this country "Mike Etaba, Chairman of the Committee insists.

In a related development, the Committee has frowned at the continued absence of the Head of Service of the Federation in a case involving one Denja Abdullahi claiming unjust, unlawful and premature retirement from public service. The committee warned that it would have no option than to request the Inspector General of police to bring her to the next hearing of the matter.

Similarly, the committee has summoned the Minister of Federal Ministry of Housing and Urban Development over a complaint of land trespass and damage of property by Sayeed Mohammed Shuabi. The committee noted that the minister was yet to appear before it despite several invitations.

"This is highly unacceptable and a negation of what the President has been telling his Ministers. We'll escalate the matter if he fails to show up at the next hearing," the Chairman concluded.

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