Reps berate NNPC spokesman for insulting members

Members of the House of Representatives on Tuesday reacted to alleged insults against them by the General Manager, Group Public Affairs Division of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation, Dr. Levi Ajuonoma.But, the lawmakers also indicted themselves, saying that their conduct during oversight duties was below expectations sometimes.Ajuonoma, had in an interview with a national newspaper (not THE PUNCH), allegedly called members of the House illiterates and ignorant lawmakers, who lacked knowledge of the operations of the NNPC.A member from Cross River State, Mrs. Nkoyo Toyo, who raised Ajuonomas attacks under matters of privilege, quoted the NNPCs spokesman as describing the investigation as a waste of time and public resources.According to Toyo, Ajuonoma had said if the lawmakers were knowledgeable, they ought to have known that the N450bn issue had been on for years before the present House came on board.Although many enraged lawmakers berated Ajuonuma over his alleged comments, others advised that members should do some self examination of their conduct.Mr. Ken Chikere, for instance, said Ajuonoma felt that he could insult lawmakers because he was a rich man.He has made money from the NNPC; he is so rich, he observed.Chikere called on his colleagues to resist the temptation to seek or collect money from any source whenever they carried out oversight duties on government agencies.Another member, Mr. Pally Iriase, described Ajuonomas remarks as sub-judicial to the work of the committee investigating the NNPC.However, he informed the House that the same committee, which conducted the probe, did not appear to be in a hurry to produce a report on its findings.The Chairman of the House Committee on Appropriation, Mr. John Enoh, said Ajuonamas comments were bad.However, Enoh said discussing Ajuonoma in the chambers was giving him too much relevance.The Minority Whip, Mr. Samson Osagie, called Ajuonoma a senseless person, who did not know that the NNPC, as a key revenue agency of government, had failed to deliver on its core mandate.The Minority Leader, Mr. Femi Gbajabiamila, however, told his colleagues that Ajuonoma was entitled to his opinion and was guaranteed under the 1999 Constitution (as amended) to express himself.Are we saying woe betide any person who speaks against the House' We can be scrutinised much as we sit here and criticise the activities of others outside there, he said.The Speaker, Mr. Aminu Tambuwal, referred the matter to the House Committee on Ethics and Privileges for investigation.
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