Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Mr Festus Keyamo
The Senate has screened Mr Festus Keyamo a ministerial nominee from Delta after he apologised to the lawmakers over an alleged misconduct to the legislature.
Keyamo’s screening at plenary on Monday followed his apology to lawmakers over his conduct in 2020, when it was said he ignored summon of both chambers of National Assembly to explain disbursement of N52 billion public works programme of the Federal Government.
Earlier, the Senate had dissolved into closed session over motion to suspend the screening of Keyamo.
The motion, which generate altercation amongst the senators, was sponsored by Sen. Dalington Nwokocha (LP-Abia).
Nwokocha had raised a motion for suspension of Kayemo’s screening pending investigation and explanation on how disbursement of N52 billion public works programme to Nigerians across 774 local governments during his tenure as Minister of State, Labour and Productivity.
On resumption from closed session, Kayemo apologised to the lawmakers over his conduct in 2020 to both chambers of National Assembly, when he was invited to explain the ministry’s activities on the public works programme.
He thereafter explained payment to the beneficiaries of the public works programme was made by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) direct to the beneficiaries account with their verifiable BVN.
According to him, every beneficiary was duly registered and documented and could be verified by the Senate.
President of the Senate Godswill Akpabio noted that government was a continuum, adding that the Senate has the right to investigate payment of the money to the beneficiaries.
Sen. Godiya Akwasiki (SDP-Nasarawa) however urged the senate to accept the apology tendered by the nominee, given his remorseful disposition.
Sen. Alli Ndume (APC-Borno) thereafter moved a motion that senate accept the apology of the nominee, while Sen. Jaribe Agom (PDP- Cross River) moved another motion that the nominee take leave of the senate, after his his apology was accepted by the senate, given the ruling of President of Senate.
Akpabio consequently ruled further that the nominee took a leave of the senate.
Senate thereafter dissolved into another closed session to continue the legislative business of the day.
Ministerial slot: I ‘ll not disappoint Tinubu, Senate – Keyamo
Meanwhile, Mr. Keyamo has said that he would not disappoint President Bola Tinubu for nominating him as minister designate.
He also thanked the Senate for its magnanimous consideration, saying he would not disappoint the parliament.
He made this known while briefing newsmen in Abuja after his screening.
Keyamo said: “I thank the Senate for their magnanimous consideration and I also want to thank Mr President for his complete benevolence to have given me this rare opportunity to serve this nation.
“I cannot thank him enough. I want to clear it that I will not disappoint Mr President; I will not disappoint the Senate; I promise, I will not.
He said he had learnt some lessons.
“In the bid and passion for both the executive and the legislature, to bring dividends of democracy to Nigerians and to ensure that Nigerians have the benefits of government programmes, perhaps some compromises are needed at all times other than the strict adherence to legality.
“Compromises are needed here and there for the purpose of bringing succour to Nigerians. Because when people hold to their sides because of legality, at times, it is Nigerians that suffer for it.
“I want to thank the Senate; I want to thank the Senate President and all the distinguished Senators for their magnanimity.(NAN
