Why Should We Be Subject To This Kind Of Screening? – Lawmakers Reject Umahi’s Rice Donation

Some members of the House of Representatives have rejected bags of rice donated by the Minister of Works, David Umahi.

Sources within the lower legislative chamber who spoke to The Cable disclosed that the foodstuffs were rejected due to “stringent conditions” attached to the distribution process,

The source claimed that the legislators are unhappy with the procedure outlined in an internal memo circulated to members on the collection of the rice

In the memo seen by the aforementioned publication, legislative aides were required to obtain special forms from the speaker’s office, present photocopies of their official identity cards, and secure written authorisation from their principals before the rice would be released.

The memo also directed that completed forms be submitted to the special adviser on finance for processing, with collection scheduled for Garki International Market, near the old Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) quarters.

According to the memo, lawmakers are to begin collecting the rice from Monday, January 26, upon completion and validation of the required documentation.

A lawmaker stated that many of his colleagues considered the process “cumbersome and undignified” for elected representatives to obtain 125 kg of rice.

“Why should lawmakers be subjected to this kind of screening before collecting bags of rice?” he asked.

Another source said lawmakers have asked the minister to take the rice to the vulnerable people in Ebonyi state.

Lawmakers also questioned the rationale behind routing the collection through a private shop at a public market, rather than within the national assembly complex.