In order to ensure accountability and efficient use of public funds, Hon. Tajudeen Abbas, Speaker of the House of Representatives, stressed the necessity of proper funding for the office of Auditor General of the Federation (oAuGF) on Monday.
During the official unveiling of the House Committee on Public Accounts, which is presided over by Hon. Bamidele Salam (PDP-Osun), Hon. Abbas made the suggestion that the OAuGF be given 1% of the federal budgetary allotment in order to effectively carry out its mandate of auditing the accounts of over 900 Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs).
The Speaker expressed support for the oAuGF through his deputy, Hon. Benjamin Kalu. The National Assembly is devoted to and interested in the position of Auditor General, he declared. At least one percent of the federal republic of Nigeria’s overall budget would be sufficient to complete the task.
“If they are to do the task at hand and do it expertly, that office requires that. If we don’t want the 900 MDAs to be significantly over-sighted, we have a responsibility as those with the ability to make financial decisions to assess the Auditor General Office’s budget.
“As the civil society noted, the majority of these MDAs were not addressed, and the problem results from the auditor general’s office lacking the resources to complete the task.
“At least one percent of the Federal Republic of Nigeria’s entire budget is required to complete the task fully. That office requires N218 billion, and that is what we are talking about.
In order to make the task of the National Assembly easier, he said, “We should not turn them into magicians; instead, we should equip them sufficiently to pursue the money of Nigeria.”
Assuring that the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) under the 10th Assembly “is committed to deepening its engagement with the Executive Arm of Government to ensure that Ministries, Departments, and Agencies of Government uphold the principles of accountability, transparency, and openness,” Hon. Abbas noted that the PAC is one of the most significant Committees of the House and that its significance is underscored by its express creation by Section 85(5) of the 1999 Constitution (as amended).
“The PAC is also committed to strengthening the Auditor General of the Federation office in accordance with best practises around the world.”
He claimed that the Federal Audit Bill, which was just passed and repealed the 1956 Audit Ordinance, was in keeping with this commitment. The PAC’s mandate is extensive and quite broad. It encompasses every facet of public finance, including the receipt, use, and accounting of tax dollars. No matter where in the government the financial irregularities occur, the PAC has the authority to look into them.
“It is highly advantageous that PAC members are instructed to exercise their functions carefully, without any let or hindrance, in order to understand this crucial job. It is my goal that this unveiling will retrain you to respond to the taxpayer’s call to duty. You cannot risk failing.
“To sum up, the Office of the Auditor General of the Federation supports the work of the PAC. In this context, it is necessary to staff the Auditor General’s Office. The Constitution requires that the appointment be made, thus it should be.
“I am confident that the PAC will be vital in helping the 10th Assembly achieve its goals of ensuring transparency, accountability, and good governance in Nigeria,” the speaker said.
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The Speaker urged President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to appoint a substantive AGF without further delay, while stressing that the oAuGF cannot be managed by an official in an acting capacity.
Chairman of the House Committee on Public Accounts, Hon. Bamidele Salam, voiced his anger in his speech over the 25-year absence of PAC report consideration. Additionally, he promised to ensure a paradigm shift by making sure the reports were submitted on schedule.
As Dr. Onwudili Ogochukwu has been serving in an acting capacity as the Auditor General of the Federation for more than a year, he also urged the House leadership to work with the Executive to expedite the appointment of a substantive Auditor General of the Federation.
He acknowledged that the situation had a detrimental influence on the work of the House Committee on Public Accounts, but he gave assurance that the Committee would be under his control and take the findings from the 2019 to 2025 Auditor General into consideration.
“At the moment, we only have the 2019 report. However, once a permanent Auditor General of the Federation has been appointed, I am confident that we will soon have the 2020 and 2021 reports, at least to begin with. And with the help of the Accountant General and the Auditor General of the Federation, we hope to reach 2025 during this 10th Assembly, Hon. Salam emphasised.
Assuring MDA compliance with the Appropriations Act, the Procurement Act, and other existing financial laws and regulations, he also reaffirmed his Committee’s commitment to completing a full evaluation of the public accounts with an emphasis on high risk sectors.
He committed to prioritising the welfare of the Committee’s workers in an effort to ensure successful service delivery, and he emphasised collaboration with relevant Standing Committees of the House and Senate, media outlets, and civil society organisations.
The Director of Economic Research & Management, Mrs. Ogbonna Gem, spoke on behalf of Mr. Wale Edun, Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, who stated: “We are all partners in progress working to see that corruption is curbed in the country.”
Dr. Onwudili Ogochukwu, the acting Auditor General of the Federation, urged the Committee to “match the legislative agenda of the 10th Assembly with financial oversight, scrutiny, and accountability which Public Accounts Committee stands for” in his presentation. He claimed that it was a new dawn for the oAGF.
“I think we can all agree that it is clear enough why this gathering is important and necessary. More than ever, the elected lawmakers must cooperate and act in the Committee’s best interest while sharing a single vision, objective, and, of course, enthusiasm. This has turned into a necessity if we’re going to fulfil the enormous duties and obligations of the Public Accounts Committee that fall on our shoulders as Honourable Members.
“Honourable Members, creating new standards for public accounting calls for a comprehensive partnership with the federation’s office of the auditor general. My Office assures the 10” Assembly of a cordial working relationship in light of this.
“Overall, Honourable Members, the current administration’s ‘Renewed Hope’ may be maintained if we continue to fight corruption. This will, in my opinion, be thoughtfully discussed during this workshop.
Once more, congrats on the Public Accounts Committee’s debut. May your efforts result in a future for our country that is more open, accountable, and prosperous. Always want to see how your work has a good influence.
In his remarks, ADSC Chief Executive Officer Ambassador Victor Walsh Oluwafemi praised the ongoing cooperation in a number of areas, including the creation of legislative proposals, reputation management, and the implementation of learning and development programmes.
While taking into consideration that members of the Public Accounts Committee have a crucial role to play in preserving the guiding principles of sound fiscal management and effective government for the benefit of all.
The national desire to inspire ideas and defy conventions to redefine fiscal responsibility and oversight function is reflected in today’s interaction, which also highlights the significance of the PAC’s commitment to assisting in the construction of a better Nigeria. We believe that PAC will successfully carry out its important role in protecting public finances and ensuring the appropriate utilisation of public resources in line with national development and advancement with the right human capacity development, coaching, advice, and resources.
We will discuss and compare several facets of strategic leadership, management of public finances and oversight responsibilities, strategic decision-making, and leadership in crisis management during this one-day leadership capacity building. Our objective is to provide members with the information, abilities, qualities, and resources they need to flourish in their PAC roles and serve as responsible citizens who manage public resources.
