Editor
By Fatima Saka
The Nigerian Senate on Tuesday has said to initiate a formal inquiry into 30 Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs) that have failed to comply with the Senate Committee on Public Accounts.
It has been emphasized that any MDA failing to attend future invitations and provide necessary explanations will face consequences as outlined by the Auditor-General.
This decision was announced by Senator Ahmed Wadada Aliyu, the Chairman of the Senate Committee on Public Accounts, during a press briefing in Abuja.
The Committee on Public Accounts has expressed its intention to review the audit queries raised by the Office of the Accountant General of the Federation, Nigeria Mining Cadastre Office, Federal Inland Revenue Service, Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission, Nigeria Police Force, Federal Ministry of Industry, Trade & Investment, FCT Internal Revenue Service, Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited, Nigeria Immigration Service, Federal Ministry of Women Affairs, Ministry of Defence, Nigeria Communications Satellite Limited, and others.
These MDAs have neglected to attend the committee’s sessions for thorough examination.
Senator Wadada highlighted that this resolution will be incorporated into the committee’s protocols if the MDAs continue to show a lack of cooperation in responding to invitations. Referring to the constitutional guidelines, he emphasized the authority granted to the Public Accounts Committee in ensuring transparency and accountability in managing the Federation’s public accounts.
According to the Chairman Senate Committee on Public Accounts that the committee has the power to investigate the Auditor-General’s reports, revenue generation, and expenditure of the Federation’s accounts. Senator Wadada expressed disappointment in the uncooperative behavior exhibited by some Chief Executive Officers and Accounting Officers of the concerned MDAs.
“Despite providing numerous opportunities for the MDAs to defend their positions, many agencies have chosen to disregard invitations and delay the committee’s proceedings. This behavior has disrupted the committee’s schedule and its plan to present the report to the Senate Plenary,” he stressed.
