Okonjo Iweala In War Of Words With Reps

Okonjo Iweal - Finance Minister

Abdulmumin Jibrin - Chairman, House Committee on Fianance

The House of Representatives’ Committee on Finance and the Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister for the Economy, Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, were yesterday engaged in a war of words during the 2014 budget presentation.

The drama began shortly after Okonjo-Iweala, who had earlier presented the 2014 budget estimates to the two chambers of the National Assembly appeared before the Finance Committee with the Accountant- General of the Federation, Jonah Ogunniyi Otunla, and the Director- General of the Budget Office,         Dr. Bright Okogwu.

The minister had complained that she was feeling sick, but had to honour the lawmakers’ invitation out of respect. She told the committee, headed by Abdulmumin Jibrin (APC-Kano): “I must tell you that I’m feeling sick. For the past one week I’ve not had sleep, so I’m not feeling fine. But I had to come because I respect the parliament and the committee.

I’ll try my best to respond to your questions as much as possible, and my other colleagues who are also here with me will contribute.” After her explanation, Jibrin in consultation with other members of the committee ruled that they could not take on the minister and would give her 50 questions that they had for her to respond in writing.

“We’re not insensitive to your situation as human beings, and if you had told us this before now, we would have given you some time. We have 50 questions for you, and we can give you time to respond in writing,” he said. But the minister insisted on responding to the 50 questions raised by the committee, saying “since I’m here now, I want to respond to the questions in person.”
Jibrin told her that he had ruled on the matter. “You should provide written answers within two weeks and we’ll invite you in January to appear before us. The 50 questions capture all at stake on the state of the economy,” he insisted But the minister responded: “I know you have ruled, but you have to hear me out. You haven’t allowed me to say something, and everybody is here seeing what is happening.

“With all due respect, I will not tell your committee that I’m feeling fine when I’m not. We have had good working relationship with your committee; I thought we’ll be treated with courtesy, but the way you’re starting is a bit disturbing.”

It was at this point that Jibril walked the minister out of the meeting venue, saying “You know I have ruled and if you don’t mind please excuse us. Members should stay behind for executive meeting. We don’t want any haphazard answers, so you can go, honourable minister.”
But the minister insisted that “I will manage to answer the questions. I won’t answer you haphazardly. I know my health, and I assure you that I can answer you well along with my other colleagues here.”

The chairman visibly angry responded: “I’m sorry honourable minister. You can only decide what happens in the finance ministry and not in the House.” Okonjo-Iweala, who was equally angry, said: “I have uttermost respect for the committee and expect same from you.
I’m a minister of the Federal Republic. When you invite ministers, you should treat them with respect. We can’t be invited and be abused.” She then left with her team members.