Subsidy probe not a witch-hunt –Tambuwal

Hon. Speaker, House of Representative, Aminu Tambuwal
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Speaker of the  House of Representatives, Mr. Aminu Tambuwal, insists that the fuel subsidy  investigation is not a witch-hunt but rather to instill transparency in the running of public offices.

The Speaker said this through his Special Adviser on Media, Mr. Imam Imam, in an interactive session with newsmen in Kaduna on Saturday.

According to him, the House of Representatives believes in the growth of the country, hence corruption must be tackled.

He said, “The whole idea of the subsidy investigation is not to witch-hunt. In fact, it is to bring sanity to the system.

“Nigeria as one of the largest producers of (crude) oil, must have a workable system that is devoid of corruption; “a system that all Nigerians and indeed, Africans will be proud of; system that is world standard. We want to ensure in the 7th Assembly that we uphold the confidence Nigerians reposed in us by providing good governance to the people.

“The subsidy investigation and others in the House were never intended either to rubbish or witch-hunt anyone.”

Tambuwal expressed his concern at the profile of corruption in the country.

He added, “The rate of corruption in the country is high, particularly in the public offices. This   must be tackled from the root if Nigeria as a nation must be among the developed nations in the year 20-20-20.”

The Speaker also noted that despite the  internal wranglings  in the House which had portrayed the House in bad light,  the House would ensure good governance in the country.

He urged Nigerians to support the lawmakers in their efforts in moving the nation forward.

“The bills and resolutions passed by the House are in an effort to change the face of Nigeria and Nigerians in entrenching transparency and accountability in the system and in governance at all levels,” he said.

The Speaker  further urged the media,  as the fourth  estate of the realm,  to partner with the House in order to move Nigeria forward, urging media practitioners  across the country to always adhere to the ethics of the profession in the  discharge of their duties.

While receiving the Speaker’s aide to the Secretariat of the Kaduna Council of the Nigeria Union of Journalists, NUJ,  the Chairman, Mallam Yusuf Idris,  noted that the aide could remember his days as a reporter before his ascension to  his current position. “Several others were raised by God to a higher status but have forgotten where they started from,” he said.