WorldStage Newsonline– The House of Representatives has resolved to investigate alleged maladministration and corrupt practices at the Project Development Institute (PRODA) in Enugu state.
This followed the unanimous adoption of a motion by Rep. Henry Nwawuba (PDP-Imo) at plenary on Wednesday.
Speaking on the motion, Nwawuba said that PRODA was a research agency under the Ministry of Science and Technology.
He said that the mission of the institute was to facilitate the development and deployment of science and technology apparatus to enhance the pace of socioeconomic development in the country.
According to the lawmaker, this is to be done through appropriate technological inputs into productive activities.
“The Institute has over the years maintained a good record of project and programme delivery especially with regards to her core mandates, working harmoniously with the supervising ministry, Ministry of Science and Technology.
“Aware that the Federal Government through the Minister, Science and Technology in its letter dated Nov. 17, 2020, ref No. – FMST/PARA/110/S.1/111/T suspended the Director General/CEO who is the Secretary of the Board and the Chairman, PRODA Governing Board, Mr Onjeh Daniel.
“Some serious management problem has emerged consequent to the suspension which has further degenerated to deception and fraud in the 2020 Procurement Process, indiscriminate suspension of officers and unprofessional victimisation and conduct.
“Further aware that in flagrant abuse of the Procurement Act 2007, the new PRODA Management within two months went into contract cancellation and re-award of same without BPP approval in contradiction of an already concluded 2020 procurement process where various contractors have executed their contracts, and are yet to be paid due to the same unresolved management brouhaha,” he said.
Nwawuba said that the contractors, who were Nigerians, may have borrowed money to execute their jobs and could have been subjected to financial pressures and untold hardship as PRODA continued to withhold their payments.
The lawmaker said that if an urgent action was not taken to resolve the issue in PRODA, it may degenerate into break down of law and order.
He said that PRODA should stop all further procurement activities in the 2020 budget and pay contractors, suppliers and consultants who have executed contracts allocated to them without further delay.
In his ruling, Speaker of the House Femi Gbajabiamila mandated the committee to report back within seven days for further legislative actions.
