Convert Forfeited Buildings To Offices For Govt Agencies – HOR

The House of Representatives has tasked the Federal Government on the need to convert all permanently forfeited lands and buildings into offices for federal government agencies operating in rented offices.

This was sequel to the adoption of the motion sponsored by a member from Edo State, Esosa Iyawe during plenary in Abuja.

In his lead debate, Iyawe observed that “asset recovery is a powerful but underutilised tool against domestic and international corruption, while the Proceeds of Crime (Recovery and Management) Act provides a robust legal framework for managing and recovering such proceeds.

“The House also notes that the Federal Government, through a Directorate, has the power to allocate permanently forfeited property to security and other government agencies.

“The House is aware that in a bid to reduce high expenditure on rent and office buildings in 2017, the Federal Government converted landed property seized by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) for office use by some agencies of government, thus saving the country about N180 billion.

“The House is concerned that government agencies operating in states across the country are experiencing challenges in finding office accommodation due to difficulties in paying rent.

“The House is also concerned that reports have revealed that over 50 assets confiscated from politically exposed persons, civil servants, and other individuals are currently unoccupied and rotting away.”

To this end, the House urged the Federal Government to renovate and convert all permanently forfeited lands and buildings into offices for Federal Government agencies operating from rented offices.

Hence, the House mandated its Committee on Public Assets to ensure compliance.

Oduyemi Odumade, Edited By Grace Namiji