The Senate has embarked on an extensive investigation into 774 federal government agencies following queries raised in the 2019 report of the Auditor-General for the Federation (AuGF).
Chairman of the Senate Public Accounts Committee (SPAC), Senator Aliyu Wadada (SDP-Nasarawa West), revealed this during a press conference held on Friday, April 12, at his residence in Keffi, Nasarawa State.
Senator Wadada emphasised the committee’s commitment to conducting its duties with integrity and impartiality, assuring that the aim is not to victimise any individual or entity. He highlighted plans to amend the 2007 Procurement Act, with the support of President Bola Tinubu and key stakeholders, to address loopholes contributing to financial infractions.
Furthermore, Senator Wadada urged government agency heads at all levels to uphold self-discipline and moral principles in their roles
He emphasised the importance of godly citizens in implementing laws effectively, citing recent improvements since the appointment of a substantive Auditor-General for the Federation.
The SPAC chairman clarified that while the committee’s focus is on promoting transparency and accountability in public fund management, it aims to identify past shortcomings and prevent their recurrence through constructive measures. He emphasised the need for meticulous documentation to enhance audit outcomes and stressed ongoing engagements with government agencies to address queries raised in the 2019 AuGF report.
Additionally, Senator Wadada disclosed ongoing scrutiny of revenue-generating agencies like the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation Limited (NNPCL) and the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA).
The committee is diligently reviewing the financial records of 774 MDAs to assess the judicious utilisation of allocated funds.
In closing, Senator Wadada reiterated the committee’s commitment to transparency by pledging to publish quarterly reports following their adoption by the Senate in plenary.
He emphasised the dynamic nature of legislation, advocating for amendments to the Procurement Act to align with current economic realities while stressing the importance of self-discipline and integrity among leaders in combating corruption.
