There was a rowdy session at the resumption of plenary on Tuesday as members of the House of Representatives argued over which committee should take charge of a proposed investigation of the alleged illegal sale of land at the Lagos International Trade Fair Complex.
The dispute followed a motion of urgent public importance moved by the Chairman of the House Committee on Public Assets, Aliyu Ademorin Kuye (APC, Lagos), who called for a probe into the alleged illegal sale of government assets at the Trade Fair Complex. In his motion, Kuye proposed that the House Committee on Public Assets should conduct the investigation.
But the Chairman of the House Committee on Rules and Business, Francis Waive, drew the attention of the House to the fact that the House rules places oversight of the trade fair complex on the Committee on Commerce.
But his motion to amend the prayer was defeated through a voice vote while other members of the House insisted the Committee on Commerce be allowed to carry out the assignment.
His intervention triggered a prolonged debate as lawmakers disagreed on which committee should spearhead the probe
Shout of point of order, point of order rented the air across the floor of the House as members held on their guns.
Hon. Yusuf Adamu Gagdi (APC, Plateau) cited Order 109, Rules 1 and 2 of the House Standing Rules, arguing that the Public Assets Committee oversees all government properties, including those within and outside Nigeria. He insisted that the Lagos Trade Fair Complex, being federal property, naturally falls under their mandate.
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“If you check Order 109, it clearly states that the Committee on Public Assets oversees ministries and agencies charged with the management and disposal of public assets. The Lagos Trade Fair is one of such assets,” Gagdi argued.
But Hon. Mark Esset (PDP, Akwa Ibom) opposed this view, maintaining that trade fairs are listed under the jurisdiction of the Committee on Commerce.
“Trade fair is not a public asset being sold. It is a commercial entity, and the House Rules on page 153 clearly list it under the functions of the Committee on Commerce. If the House has made a mistake by its earlier decision, we have the powers to reverse it,” Esset stated.
As tensions rose, Hon. Ali Isa J.C. (PDP, Gombe) urged members to exercise caution and adhere to the House rules. He suggested setting up a joint committee led by Commerce, with Public Assets and other relevant committees participating — a proposal that failed to receive a seconder.
Hon. Gaza Jonathan Gbefwi (SDP, Nasarawa) later supported the joint-committee idea but argued that Public Assets should take the lead, since the investigation concerns the ownership and potential sale of federal property.