Why Buhari should sack NEMA boss – Reps

The House of Representatives on Thursday, urged President Muhammadu
Buhari, to relieve the Managing Director of National Emergency
Management Agency (NEMA), Mr Mustapha Maihaja of his duties over
alleged mismanagement of resources.

NAN reports that this followed the adoption of a report of the House
Committee on Emergency and Disaster Preparedness at plenary.

Chairman of the committee, Rep. Ali Isa, explained that based on the
investigation conducted, it had been established that the Federal
Government lost over N33 billion as a result of mismanagement by
Maihaja.

"This is as a result of mismanagement or outright embezzlement of
funds occasioned by actions or inactions of the Managing Director of
NEMA, Mr Mustapha Maihaja,'' Isa said.

He also expressed reservation over the handling of the 6,779 metric
tonnes of rice donated for Internally Displaced Persons (IDP) in the
Northeast by the Chinese Government.

"On the issue of donation of 6,779 metric tonnes of rice by the
Chinese Government for IDPs in the Northeast, the House condemned the
negligence.

"It also condemned the inefficiency of the Ministry of Budget and
National Planning and NEMA for the long delay in the collection of the
donated rice from the port terminal.

"The Committee therefore called on anti graft agencies to investigate
and prosecute all those involved.

"The ICPC, EFCC and Police should ensure recovery of the payment of
about N800 million demurrage from the concerned officers of the
Ministry of Budget and National Planning, Ministry of Agriculture and
NEMA.

"They should further investigate the conflicting testimonies of the
above agencies to determine whether there were multiple payments for
the demurrage," Isa said.