Senate rejects Orji Kalu’s motion seeking suspension of project tracking by ICPC

By Naomi Sharang

The Senate on Wednesday rejected a motion by Sen. Orji Kalu (APC-Abia) seeking to suspend the ongoing national project tracking exercise conducted by the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC).

Orji Kalu the motion was moved during plenary.

While moving the motion, Kalu raised concerns over contractors executing federal projects experiencing challenges of fund release and budget implementation.

However, Senate Leader, Sen. Opeyemi Bamidele, opposed the motion, describing it as procedurally defective.

Bamidele noted that the motion had not been seconded and that the consent of other senators had not been sought, as required under Orders 41 and 51 of the Senate Standing Orders.

“By our rules, a motion can only be debated if it is seconded,” Bamidele said.

He emphasised that ICPC has the statutory mandate to track projects and that projects owned by lawmakers were being monitored in line with principles of transparency and accountability.

Deputy Senate President, Sen. Jibrin Barau, also called for the withdrawal of the motion.

While describing Kalu as a respected and experienced legislator, Barau noted that any concerns about ICPC’s project tracking should be addressed administratively.

“For the purpose of accountability, prudence and transparency, ICPC is acting within its mandate,” Barau said.

In his contribution, Sen. Eyinnaya Abaribe (Abia South) also that under Order 41(4), only one matter of urgent public importance could be raised at a time.

Abaribe noted that the senate had already considered an earlier urgent motion on insecurity, making it procedurally improper to take up a second urgent motion.

Responding, Senate President Godswill Akpabio upheld the point of order, declaring the motion out of order and unable to proceed.

NAN reports that the decision underscores the senate’s commitment to allowing statutory bodies like ICPC to perform their oversight functions, while reinforcing adherence to legislative rules and procedural propriety.

(NAN)