The legislative inquiry is to determine the circumstances surrounding the restriction and its impact on affected communities.
365Daily – The House of Representatives has mandated its Committees on Air Force, National Security and Intelligence to investigate the circumstances surrounding the prolonged closure of a section of the Benue Kaduna Expressway by Air Force officials.
The legislative inquiry is to determine the circumstances surrounding the restriction and its impact on affected communities.
ThIs is part of resolutions of a motion of urgent public importance passed during plenary on Thursday.
Debating the motion, lawmakers expressed concern that the affected section of the highway has remained inaccessible to motorists for several years, resulting in significant hardship for commuters, residents, and economic activities along the route.
They noted that the constitutional responsibility of government to safeguard the lives and property of citizens while also recognising the operational responsibilities of the Armed Forces in protecting national security.
While acknowledging the security concerns, the House noted that national security considerations must align with the constitutional rights and welfare of citizens, adding tthat concerns affecting public infrastructure and freedom of movement ashoukd subjected to appropriate legislative oversight before any final resolution is reached.
Contributing on the motion, the Deputy Speaker, Benjamin Kalu, guided the House towards a consensus by clarifying that the objective of the motion was not to compel the immediate removal of the barricade but to enable the National Assembly to undertake a comprehensive legislative review of the matter through its oversight responsibilities.
The House subsequently adopted the motion and referred it to the Committees on Air Force, National Security and Intelligence, and other relevant committees with a mandate to investigate the circumstances surrounding the road closure, engage the Nigerian Air Force and other relevant stakeholders, and report back to the House with recommendations for further legislative action.