Twice were two companies handling road project for Akwa Ibom Government invited by a committee of the state House of Assembly and twice did they fail to show up to answer queries.
Earlier, the House Committee on Appropriation and Finance had invited Wischino Engineering Company and Julius Berger Construction Company to appear before members of the committee on Monday, February 1, 2021, but the companies failed to honour the invitation.
Moreover, the House committee invited the two construction giants to appear on Monday, February 8.
However, Wischino Engineering Company sent her tax consultant, who has little or no knowledge about the company’s work operations particularly Oron and Etinan-Eket Road, appeared before the committee.
Unexpectedly, Julius Berger Construction Company did not appear, an action viewed by the committee as ‘a contempt’ on their legislative status.
Based on this, the House of Assembly has again summoned the Managing Director and entire management staffers of Wischino Engineering Company and Julius Berger Construction Company as the two companies that shunned the invitation of Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly for the second time.
The Assembly’s heavy axe fell on the two defaulting companies during the second day of the Committee’s investigative hearing with companies operating in the state on issues concerning payees’ and withholding taxes remittance to State Government in consonance with their staffers’ strength and personal emolument.
Reacting, Rt. Hon. Uduak Odudoh, the Committee Chairman out rightly condemned actions and nonchalant attitude of the companies.
Odudoh who is also a member representing Ikot Abasi/Eastern Obolo State constituency issued a summon to the Managing Director and the entire managerial staffers to appear before Appropriations and Finance Committee.
He warned that failure by the companies to respond to the final summon, the committee will leave with no option than implore its Legislative powers against the company.
The House member said the committee perceived such lackadaisical and aloof behaviour by the two companies as a clear insult to Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly and the entire Akwa Ibom State.
On his part, Rt. Hon. Mark Esset, a member representing Nsit Atai State Constituency frowned at the attitude of the companies, adding that it is a clear insult and disrespectful for the companies to treat invitations from the Assembly with levity.
In his speech, Godwin Ekpo, a member representing Ibiono Ibom State Constituency, observed that the representative of the company lacks competence to furnish the Committee with accurate and informed information, wondering why a company should pride itself in snubbing invitations from the legislature.
The committee declared the presentation by the company was, however, declared inclusive.
In another development, Mr. Mmenyene Etukudoh, the Managing Director of Ibom Power, and Mrs. Nkoyo Etuk, Managing Director of Universal Energy, who appeared before the committee made their presentations and were equally adjudged inclusive.
The two Managing Directors were directed them to reappear before the committee on a later date.
Other companies billed to appear before the Committee Monday, February 8 were Base Engineering Company and Bulletin Construction Company.
The two companies through letters to the committee requested for leave of absence to appear before the committee next Monday.
Members of the committee present during Monday’s interactive session with companies were Rt. Hon. Emmanuel Bassey, Hon. Victor Ekwere, and Rt. Hon. Effiong Bassey.
Reports filed by Abigail Isaac
