Gombe Reps member decries relocation of Fed agency to unapproved location
The Member representing Balanga/Billiri Federal constituency and Deputy Chairman House Committee on Solid Minerals Victor Mela has queried the relocation of federal government agency National Biotechnology Development Agency (NABDA), from his constituency.
NABDA’s mandate is aimed at promoting, coordinating, and prioritising biotechnology research and development in Nigeria.
Mela who faulted the relocation the of the agency from Billiri local government which is under Gombe South his jurisdiction to the state capital in Gombe North, urged the Director General of the Agency to revert to status quo.
He stated this on Thursday during the ongoing 2022 budget defence.
According to a press statement which was made available by his media aide Ibrahim Tal, on Sunday, Mela confronted the Director General/CEO of the National Biotechnology Development Agency (NABDA), Prof. Abdullahi Mustapha.
The lawmaker described the alleged relocation as unauthorised and illegal movement of the Agency’s office from Ladongor, Billiri Local Government Area to Gombe metropolis which is not part of his constituency.
While demanding that the decision be reversed, Mela said, “The National Assembly cannot continue to appropriate monies for the operation of the office in a site other than the one that has been legally approved.”
The Director General/CEO Mustapha assured the committee that urgent and immediate steps were being taken since the last time the federal lawmaker mentioned the issue to him.
“I have directed the Agency’s Coordinator in charge of the office in Ladongor, Billiri LGA to return to Ladongor immediately,”Mustapha added.
