How Senate stopped members from aviation road show

Posted by admin Aviation, Legislature, Senate Monday, August 6th, 2012

FURTHER insights into the decision of the senators not to participate in the aviation road show has revealed that only one senator mistakenly took the basic travel allowance (BTA) meant for the trip.

Investigations in the National Assembly confirmed that Senate Committee on Aviation, headed by Senator Hope Uzordin-ma, had decided not to participate in the three-nation road show, even before the story broke.

It was, however, confirmed that a senator mistakenly collected $7,000 meant as BTA for the trip.

It was learnt that the senator, a former office holder in a state, did not confer with the committee chairman before receiving the money.

As a non-ranking senator, it was leant he did not know that he had to confirm from his leadership before receiving any assistance for such a trip.

A source said when the Senate leadership got wind of the trip, it got in touch with Senator Uzordinma, who confirmed that none of his members was involved.

It was later discovered that a member had been approached by ministry officials, who had collected the BTA.

The chairman was immediately told to reach the senator in question, so that he could return the money.

Investigation further confirmed that the senator in question confirmed the receipt of the money, saying that he would return it on Monday.

On Sunday, Senate spokesman, Senator Enyinnaya Abaribe, had said the Senate was not involved in the road show, contrary to a report in a Lagos-based newspaper.

via Tribunewp_posts