Reps Probe Mass Transit Failures In Nigeria

The House of Representa­tives Ad-Hoc Committee to investigate Failure of Fed­eral Mass Transit Schemes in Nigeria since 1999, has de­cried the serial mismanage­ment of humongous govern­ment investments in Urban Mass Transit Schemes to ameliorate transportation challenges, with resultant abysmal results.
The Chairman of the Ad- Hoc Committee, Hon. Afam Victor Ogene, in a statement in Abuja on Monday warned that the committee would get to the roots of the mis­management of the funds that run into billions of naira spent on the scheme by successive governments, without commensurate im­pact since 1999.
He expressed displeasure at the seeming reluctance by line ministries and agen­cies in releasing documents relating to public funds ex­pended on previous Mass Transit Schemes.
“This becomes important especially at this period of grueling multifaceted eco­nomic challenges that have heightened the sufferings of the people and lowered the living conditions of many,” he said.
Hon. Ogene, who rep­resents Ogbaru Federal Constituency in Anambra State and who is also the La­bour Party caucus leader in the House, disclosed that in 2012 alone, over N16 billion was released through The Infrastructure Bank (TIB) for the purchase of buses for Public Mass Transit from the Subsidy Reinvest­ment and Empowerment Programme SURE-P funds under the administration of former President Goodluck Jonathan from the Public Mass Transit Revolving Fund (PMTF).
“A total of 1,179 vehicles were released to the benefi­ciaries under the scheme, with a repayment plan covering four years. But ac­cording to TIB, many of the beneficiaries defaulted and didn’t repay the loans.