Senate Public Accounts C’ttee Slams NNPCL, FIRS, 15 Others for Evasive Tactics, Threatens to Adopt Auditor-General’s Findings
Mercy Adi
Chairman of the Senate committee on Public Accounts Senator Ahmed Wadada Aliyu has expressed great displeasure with the non-compliance of various government agencies in addressing audit queries. The Committee also decided it will proceed with evaluating the audit queries based solely on the Auditor-General’s findings if the agencies continue to neglect their obligations.
Speaking at a press briefing, Aliyu describe their actions “uncooperative attitude” as several Chief Executive Officers (CEOs) and Accounting Officers who have consistently failed to honor invitations to explain discrepancies highlighted in the Auditor-General’s Annual Report for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2019.
Aliyu underscored that, as per Sections 88 and 89 of the Nigerian Constitution and Senate Standing Orders, the Public Accounts Committee is tasked with ensuring transparency and accountability in public finances. Despite numerous invitations extended since October 2023, key agencies, including the Office of the Accountant General, Nigeria Mining Cadastre Office, and the Federal Inland Revenue Service, NNPCL, among others, have not responded adequately.
The Chairman criticized the delays and evasive tactics of these agencies, which have disrupted the Committee’s schedule and hindered its ability to present a comprehensive report to the Senate Plenary. In response, the Committee has decided that moving forward, it will proceed with evaluating the audit queries based solely on the Auditor-General’s findings if the agencies continue to neglect their obligations.
The Committee’s new stance includes a potential revision of its rules of engagement to enforce compliance. This development highlights an increasing tension between legislative oversight and executive accountability in Nigeria’s governance framework.
The Senate Public Accounts Committee remains committed to fulfilling its constitutional duties and will take necessary actions to ensure that public funds are managed with the highest degree of transparency and integrity.
