The House of Representatives has taken a significant step by issuing summons to various government agencies, including the Federal Inland Revenue Service, Nigerian Immigration Service, Nigerian Metrological Agency, Niger State Command, Investment and Security Tribunal, and the Pharmacists Council of Nigeria, requiring their presence before the Public Accounts Committee. This hearing is scheduled for Tuesday of the following week and is in response to queries raised by the Auditor General for the Federation.
During a committee hearing held in Abuja, members expressed their dissatisfaction with the agencies’ behavior, particularly their failure to respond to previous invitations and the serious allegations outlined in the 2019 Auditor General’s Report.
The committee also instructed the medical director of the federal medical centre in Keffi, Nassarawa State, to appear next Tuesday with the necessary documents in support of various expenditures totaling approximately 10 billion Naira that had been questioned by the Auditor General for the Federation.
The committee questioned why the medical director, who has been in office for nearly seven years, continuously sought extensions to address issues related to the diversion of public funds, non-remittance of internally generated revenue, and unauthorized allowance payments, among other allegations.
In a similar vein, the Acting Registrar of the Veterinary Council of Nigeria was directed to provide documentary evidence to address ten audit queries issued by the Auditor General for the Federation.
Dauda Zachariah Nyampa, a member of the House Committee, raised concerns about the council’s habit of using delay tactics to hinder the work of the Public Accounts Committee.
Chairman of the Public Accounts Committee, Rep. Bamidele Salam, emphasized the committee’s commitment to conducting comprehensive and impartial investigations into alleged financial regulation violations by various Ministries, Departments, and Agencies.
During the meeting, the Minority Whip of the House of Representatives, Rep Isa Ali, along with the Deputy Minority Leader, Rep. Ali Madaki, expressed the House leadership’s support for the work of the Public Accounts Committee. They stressed the 10th Assembly’s determination to strengthen all committees to ensure accountability within Ministries, Departments, and Agencies.
