By Lawrence Njoku, Enugu

Enugu Capital Territory Development Authority (ECTDA) has claimed that its officials it sent to honour the summons of the House of Assembly Committee on Public Accounts and Anti-Corruption were turned back for allegedly appearing “empty-handed.”

The agency made the disclosure in the wake of media reports that it failed to honour their invitation over allegations of land acquisition and grabbing in the state.

ECTDA’s Public Relations Officer (PRO), Gideon Eze, stated in Enugu that the agency would no longer watch the House of Assembly damage its reputation.

The statement reads: “The attention of ECTDA was brought to the media sensation of a special committee constituted by the House of Assembly Committee on Public Accounts and Anti-Corruption under the Chairmanship of Chinedu Nwamba, and we hereby make the following clarifications:

“An invitation of the committee was received by ECTDA on September 8, 2021, which the agency honoured on September 15. Though the committee’s invitation did not follow the appropriate channel of invitation, our chairman insisted that ECTDA will honour the invitation, stating that he was represented Enugu North state constituency 18 years ago and was the Chairman House Committee on Finance and Appropriation. Staff of the agency that went to honour the invitation were, however, turned back by Nwamba, who told them that they came ’empty-handed’.”

He added that ECTDA received another invitation to appear before the committee on September 21, but that the committee could not wait for the appointed date before it allegedly published falsehood in the media, causing the agency embarrassment.

ECTDA, therefore, urged the general public to disregard the committee publication against ECTDA and its chairman.

“This agency will not be distracted in the discharge of its duties. We urge the speaker of the assembly to call Nwamba to order, to preserve the sanctity and integrity of the House.

“Please take note that further acts of blackmail, harassment and intimidation will no longer be condoned by the agency. The agency should not be pushed to release damaging documents that could compromise the integrity of the Assembly because a contaminated egg should not be allowed to infest every other egg in a basket.” Efforts to reach Nwamba on the allegation before going to press, proved abortive.

-Guardian