After weeks of media brouhaha generated by the invitation of Dr. Josef Onoh and the Commissioner for lands by Enugu Lawmakers, the Chairman of Enugu State Capital Territory Development Authority, ECTDA, has finally appeared before the Assembly.
Speaking to Dr. Onoh who had explained why he didn’t appear earlier, the Speaker of the House, Rt. Hon. Edward Ubosi acknowledged the work Onoh is doing at ECTDA which he said is “great and enormous” and commended him for his bravely in piloting the affairs of the Agancy.
Onoh appeared before the general House to answer questions on why he failed to appear before the House Special committee investigating alleged double taxation in the state.
Tempers however flayed when some members of the House of Assembly made remarks on the media attention Onoh’s attempt to exonerate himself from the accusations gained when the House extended three invitations to him without his appearance.
The situation was brought under control by the Speaker of the House who went down memory lane in explaining the roles Onoh’s father played in the creation of Enugu State and expressed dissatisfaction that the House could be having a face off with his son.
Ubosi stated that the House did not in any of it’s invitations to Onoh and other Executive members indicate land grabbing as part of it’s investigation.
“It was only on the allegations of extortion of levies and double taxation, the house is not happy with you because you were a member of this House of Assembly who served well as House Committee chairman on appropriation and the records are there. I remember your father fought for the State House of Assembly and for the state, same as my grandfather.
“We don’t have issues with you. We are happy with your duty as the Chairman of Enugu Capital Territory Development Authority because I know that it’s not easy. Our invitation was just a meeting which was turned into politics and you are a young man with a future.
“You have been a member of this House and should know better.”
Before asking him, to take a bow and go, Ubosi reiterated that they’re not fighting with anybody as they are working together with the Executive Governor of Enugu State, Rt. Hon. Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi to move the state forward.
Earlier while responding to questions from members of the House of Assembly, Onoh remarked that he did not disrespect the House of Assembly since it would have amounted to disrespecting himself, adding that he never accused the house of land grabbing since the House has no business with land allocations.
“I didn’t turn your invitations down, the only thing is that the staff we sent came empty-handed because we didn’t give him any document to present to the committee. I never said that the House wanted financial inducement” Onoh responded.
Onoh also said he had no problem with the chairman of the committee, Rt. Hon. Chinedu Nwamba whom he said has been his friend since 2002 when he ran for election.
The speaker directed the House committee to prepare their report and submit same to the House.
The House adjourned to 26th October.
