Friday 20 December 2013

Finance Minister, Okonjo - Iweala abused by House Committee on Finance.



 I listened to Mrs Okonjo-Iweala on the radio and it was obvious she was quite upset about the treatment she got from the Committee on Finance which she likened to an ''abuse''. Read the report below on what transpired:

Representatives Committee on Finance, on Thursday, walked out the Coordinating Minister of Economy and Minister of Finance, Dr Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, from its meeting it called over the state of the economy of the country from January till date.
The minister, alongside the Accountant-General of the Federation, Mr Jonah Ogunniyi Otunla, had appeared before the committee, chaired by Honourable Abdulmumin Jibrin, but trouble started when she told the committee that she was not feeling fine and that she honoured the invitation out of respect.
I must tell you that I’m feeling sick. For the past one week, I’ve not had sleep, so I’m not feeling fine. But I had to come because I respect the parliament and the committee. I’ll try my best to respond to your questions as much as possible, and my other colleagues who are also here with me will contribute,” she said.
Following her explanations, Honourable Jibrin, in consultation with other members of the committee, ruled
that they could not take on the minister but that they would give her “the 50 questions” for which she must respond to in writing.
Trouble, however, started when the minister insisted that she should be allowed to respond to the questions, saying “since I’m here now, I want to respond to the questions in person.”
The chairman insisted that he had ruled and there was no going back on the matter, insisting that the minister should provide written answers within two weeks and appear before the committee in January but the minieter was still adamant, asking them to hear her out.
When the situation became tensed, Honourable Jibrin walked out Okonjo-Iweala, saying “you know I have ruled and if you don’t mind, please excuse us. Members should stay behind for executive meeting. We don’t want any haphazard answers, so you can go honourable minister.”
Okonjo-Iweala, who was not happy with the situation, said “I have uttermost respect for the committee and expect same from you. I’m a minister of the Federal Republic. When you invite ministers, you should treat them with respect. We can’t be invited and be abused.”


Was it a fair treatment for a  Minister of the Federal Republic?

5 comments:

  1. A written report and a spoken one is def different.respect is reciprocal.tho walkin her out was harsh,I don't see any other way of making her stop insisting on talking.

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  2. The truth of the matter is that Ms Okonjo-Iweala has lost all credibility. Personally I think no one wants to see or listen to what she has to say. I was one of her biggest fans under the leadership of President Obasanjo. For her to remain in this corrupt government it shows me she is also corrupt, lacks integrity and has a hidden agenda. FULL STOP!

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    1. I blivv se may. Gtn corrupt to be in dis administartion and obviously ppl v lost respet for her,respet is reciprocal wen ur dealn wit knowledgeable ppl not corrupt n crude govt officials,se sd ve devlloped a thick skin

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  3. She has my respect any day but she ought to have taken her leave when the gavel hit. These guys have the power to summon and dismiss only to summon you again in less than 24 hour, the constitution has given them that enormous but undue powers. . .

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  4. She shd go n ret joor wat did se expect?

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