By Anayo Akwitti
The Senate Committee on Sports has frowned at the recurring failure of sports agencies to appear before it, despite what lawmakers described as years of poor performance in the sector.
Chairman of the committee, Senator Abdul Ningi, expressed disappointment over the inability of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) and the National Sports Commission (NSC) to qualify the Super Eagles for the recently concluded FIFA World Cup, despite the expansion of qualification slots for African countries.
Senator Ningi said it is the constitutional responsibility of the National Assembly to exercise oversight over government agencies and ensure accountability in the management of public resources.
The committee chairman stated that the NFF and the NSC had failed to honour two separate invitations requesting them to provide details of funds released and expended on the FIFA World Cup qualifiers, the Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON), the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON), the Commonwealth Games, as well as interventions received from FIFA, the Confederation of African Football (CAF) and other international bodies.
Supporting a motion moved by committee members that the NFF and the NSC be given a final opportunity to appear before the Senate before constitutional sanctions are invoked, Senator Ningi directed the Clerk of the Committee to issue a last notice to the affected agencies, requesting them to comply with the committee’s demands.
The committee also resolved to seek details of all financial releases made to the agencies during the period under investigation.
Senator Abdul Ningi further directed that a request be forwarded to the Office of the Accountant-General of the Federation for records of funds released to the agencies within the period under review.
