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REPS TETFUND INVESTIGATION: NO PROCUREMENT ACT DEFAULTER WILL BE SPARED, IDEM’S COMMITTEE WARNS

House of Representatives Committee investigating the alleged abuse of 2.3 trillion naira generated as tertiary education tax by the Tertiary Education Trust Fund, TETFUND, says it is not out to witch hunt heads of institutions, but only playing its constitutional oversight role to ensure things are done in accordance with the relevant laws setting them up.

However the committee, led by the member representing Ukanafun/Oruk Anam Federal Constituency, Rep. Unyime Idem, has vowed that no head of institution, contractor or staff of TETFUND, found to be in breach of the provisions of the Procurement Act, will go scot free, but will be made to face the full weight of the law.

To this end, Idem has urged the heads of institutions where TETFUND projects are sited, to cooperate with the committee and be transparent, noting that the documents submitted to it will be compared with the projects inspected, and will guide it in its final report.

The Ukanafun federal lawmaker made the remark in Abuja before the committee commenced inspection of schools where TETFUND projects are sited in the Federal Capital Territory, FCT.

According to him, whoever lies on oath, “commits an offence and is liable, upon conviction, to cumulative punishment of a term of imprisonment of 5 years without any option of fine”.

He also made it clear that the committee’s final report will help TETFUND to either release or withhold more funds to institutions, for projects and other purposes.

Idem also reiterated the committee’s commitment to do a thorough evaluation of projects in institutions visited across the country.

Institutions visited were University of Abuja, Gwagwalada, National Open University of Nigeria, Abuja and the FCT College of Education, Zuba.

With the inspection of projects in the FCT, the committee has concluded its tour to States in the North Central Region of the country.

The delegation was received in the FCT by the Permanent Secretary, Federal Capital Territory Administration, FCTA, Mr Olusade Adesola.