By UDORA ORIZU, Abuja

The House of Representatives has set up an adhoc committee to investigate allegations by the Chairman of Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) that the review of the 2021 Budget led to the discovery of 257 duplicated projects with a combined worth of N20.138 billion.

The decision of the lawmakers was sequel to the adoption of the prayers of a motion titled, “Call to Investigate the High Level of Corruption on Nominal Rolls of Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs),” at the plenary, December 2.

The sponsor, Hon. Dachung Bagos, (PDP, Plateau) had while moving the motion, noted the report of high level corruption being perpetrated in MDAs in the country.

He said the House is aware that President Muhammadu Buhari, on 30 November, 2021 ordered the ICPC to take actions against Heads of Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) and other personnel involved in project racketeering, budget and payroll padding as well as ghost worker’s retention.

He said the House is also aware that the Chairman of the ICPC also stated that the review of the 2021 budget led to the discovery of 257 duplicated projects with a combined worth of N20.138 billion.

He expressed concerns that the corrupt practices are carried out in all facet of the activities of the MDAs, with the highest list been the issue of payroll padding and ghost workers’ retention.

These funds, he said, find their way into the pockets of the Chief Executives, Officers/ Heads of the MDAs at the expense of the nation.

Setting up the adhoc Committee to investigate the allegation, at the plenary yesterday, the Speaker, Hon. Femi Gbajabiamila said it would be chaired by Hon. Makki Yelleman.

Members of the Committee, according to the Speaker, include Hon. Ganiyu Johnson, Hon. Francis Waive, Hon. Luke Akpan, Hon. Yusuf Gagdi, Hon. Ahmed Jaha, Hon. Francis Agbo, Hon. Olododo Cook, Hon. Amos Magaji, Hon. Abdullahi Halims, Hon. Kabiru Idris, Hon. Aniekan Umanah and five others. (Adopted from THISDAY)