Reps Summon Amaechi, Tukur, Others Over N1trn Rail Contracts

The House of Representatives’ ad hoc Committee on Rail Transport has summoned three former national chairmen of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to appear before it on Thursday over an alleged N1 trillion rail contracts scam.
Those summoned are Alhaji Bamanga Tukur, Alhaji Abubakar Kawu Baraje, and Dr. Haliru Bello.
The committee also invited Ambassador Ladan Shuni.
Tukur, Baraje and Bello served as chairmen of the board of the Nigeria Railway Corporation (NRC) at different times.
They are expected to appear before the House investigative panel on Thursday to give account of their stewardship.
Chairman of the ad hoc committee, Hon. Ehiozuwa Agbonayinma, said in Abuja, that the essence of the probe is not to witch-hunt anybody, but to let Nigerians know how their tax money is being spent.
He said: “In the court of law, you are innocent until proven guilty. We will adhere to fair hearing, but anyone found wanting will be exposed.
“This Eighth Assembly members are committed to putting Nigeria first in our legislative duties as well as performing our oversight function.
“This rail contract probe is not primarily designed to rubbish anybody, but we must unearth how every kobo was spent and let Nigerians know how it was spent.
“The first investigative hearing starts on Thursday and we’ve invited all stakeholders to come and tell us all they know about this matter.
“The Minister of Transport, Rotimi Amaechi, was also invited to tell us all he knows about the contract, though he just assumed office, but you know government is continuum.”
The House had, on October 14, mandated the Committee on Transport to probe contracts awarded for the rehabilitation of rail tracks, standard gauge, bridges, coaches, wagons and locomotives between 2010 and 2014.

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