The Senate, on Thursday, suspended
indefinitely its decision to question the Minister of Aviation, Stella Oduah,
at its general session, after repeatedly deferring the minister’s appearance.
Ms. Oduah will now appear before the Senate
Committee on Aviation on an unnamed date, a new resolution approved by the
lawmakers on Thursday said. The hearing is expected to be reported back to the
senate plenary.
“The Senate accordingly resolves to rescind
its earlier resolution that the minister of aviation and chief executives of
the aviation parastatals to brief the senate plenary,” the motion read.
It also said the minister will “brief the
Senate Committee on Aviation on the state of aviation sector and highlights
number of aviation incidents
Senate President David Mark did not give
reasons for the decision.
The Senate deputy minority whip, Solomon
Ganiyu, said the decision was reached at a closed-door session.
“Indeed, at the executive session last week,
senators were unanimous that the motion should be rescinded. Instead, the
minister should rather appear before the Senate Committee on Aviation,” Mr
Solomon (Lagos/APC) said. He seconded a motion to repeal the first order.
Ms. Oduah is currently facing multiple
investigations for allegedly ordering the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority
(NCAA) to purchase two armoured cars for her at the cost of N255 million. The
contract was not budgeted for and did not follow due process.
The minister has denied doing any wrong, and
insists she followed the relevant laws. An investigation by the House of
Representatives proved those claims false. The House investigation, which took
more than a week, will be discussed by lawmakers next week.
Another committee named by President
Goodluck Jonathan on the matter has failed to submit its report after the
assigned two weeks.
The Senate probe was to focus on the
problems of the aviation sector generally, particularly air crashes and issues
of regulation by the ministry of aviation.
The minister has been accused of denying
additional landing rights to some international airlines to commence cargo and
passenger flights to Kano and Abuja apart from Lagos where they now operate.
The airlines are: Emirates (Dubai, Kano,
Abuja); Turkish (Instanbul, Kano, Abuja); Etihad (Dubai, Kano, Abuja); Qatar
(Doha, Kano, Abuja) and Asky Airlines (Lome, Niger, Kano).
Emirates and Turkish airlines have, however,
received conditional approvals to fly the Kano-Abuja routes. The aviation
ministry attached strict conditions to the effect that they must pay “Royalty
Per Passenger”.
The minister was however also expected to address
questions on the armoured cars scandal.
After repeated rescheduling, her appearance
last Thursday was moved after Mr Mark said he wanted to personally preside over
the hearing. The senate president was to lead the Nigerian delegation to United
Arab Emirate to support the Golden Eaglets who played Mexico in the finals of
the U-17 FIFA championship. He did not go after all.
“I think we should oblige the senate
president that opportunity to preside over the session because he was passionate
about it and he would have been around today but for the last minute national
assignment given to him,” deputy senate president, Ike Ekweremadu, said that
day.
But on a rescheduled date Thursday, the
Senate tabled a motion to withdraw its previous decision on the matter. It
mandated the minister to brief the aviation committee.
Speaking to journalists after the plenary,
chairman of the Senate Committee on Aviation, Hope Uzodinma (Imo/PDP), denied
concerns that the Senate may have acted under “pressure” from the Presidency to
give the embattled minister a soft landing.
“I don’t know where you heard what you heard
but what I had just said is the decision is in order,” he said. “I think it
(rescinded summons) is proper and it is in order and in accordance with the
Senate rules.”
Mr Uzodinma, however, could not provide a
definite date Mrs Oduah is to appear before the Senate aviation committee.
“The time table will be worked out as soon
we meet at the committee level,” he said
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