Job racketeering: Reps summon absentee MDAs, threaten action

The House of Representatives ad hoc committee investigating alleged job racketeering and mismanagement of the Integrated Payroll and Personnel Information System (IPPIS) by the agencies of the Federal Government has re-summoned Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) that refused to appear before it.

The committee also threatened to invoke its legislative power to ensure compliance by the various MDAs.

The chairman of the committee, Yusuf Gagdi, made the declaration in a statement on Saturday, August 26, 2023.

Gagdi noted that disregard for invitations amounted to contempt of legislature and warned of dire consequences.

He expressed dismay over the deliberate refusal of several agencies to appear before the panel, in spite of repeated invitation letters and publications in national dailies.

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The lawmaker described such action as a deliberate attempt by the affected MDAs to frustrate the assignment of the panel, insisting it would not be allowed.

Gagdi said hearing notice had been sent through major national dailies and the various MDAs offices to cause appearance.

According to him, the committee requests that the MDAs avail it with relevant information relating to recruitments in their agencies.

He said to the committee’s utmost dismay, its request was disregarded, adding that such MDAs action was considered as contempt of the legislature.

The lawmaker noted that the affected ministries, whose details had already been published in the national dailies, were to appear before the committee within the stipulated scheduled dates.

The affected MDAs, according to the publications, are to appear before the committee between August 24 and 31, 2023.

The Star