Lagos assembly asks agencies for records in government-asset recovery review

The Lagos State House of Assembly has set up an eight-member committee to identify government-owned assets and help recover properties that belong to the state.

The committee is examining both documented and undocumented properties and asking ministries, departments and agencies for comprehensive records of assets in their custody.

Committee chairman Obafemi Saheed said on Friday that the exercise formed part of the legislature’s oversight of government spending and the use of public resources, Premium Times reported.

Saheed asked agencies that had not supplied requested documents to do so promptly and attend scheduled hearings. He warned that officials who ignored invitations could face legislative action.

He said the committee could subpoena individuals and seek the assembly’s approval for arrest warrants where invitations were refused.

Agencies already heard included the New Town Development Authority, Lagos State Waterways Authority and Lagos Metropolitan Area Transport Authority.

The committee also engaged the state’s Council for Arts and Culture; the ministries responsible for basic and secondary education, tertiary education, and wealth creation; and several ferry, printing and agricultural agencies.

During the meetings, members asked agencies to clarify their holdings and provide records of documented and undocumented property. Other agencies are scheduled to appear as the exercise continues.

Source: Premium Times