House of Representatives summons agencies over N20.853 billion audit query

The House of Representatives Public Accounts Committee (PAC) has taken a significant step by summoning the leadership of various government agencies, including the Nigeria Communications Satellite Ltd (NIGCOMSAT), the Nigeria Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRE), and several others to address an audit query amounting to N20.853 billion.

These agencies, alongside the Nigeria Export Processing Zones Authority (NEPZA) and three additional entities, have been called upon to appear before the committee within 72 hours.

The audit queries, which collectively amount to N20.853 billion, were raised by the Office of the Auditor-General of the Federation.

Prominent among the summoned agencies are the Rural Electrification Agency (REA), the Nigeria Export Promotion Council (NEPC), and the Federal University of Petroleum Studies in Effurum, Delta State.

Representative Bamidele Salam, the head of the committee, emphasized that this decision was made due to the agencies’ non-appearance during a committee session intended to address the audit queries against them.

Salam also issued a strong warning, making it clear that this invitation represents their final opportunity to appear before the committee, as a warrant of arrest may be issued against the heads of these agencies if they fail to comply.

Out of the six entities invited, only the Rural Electrification Agency submitted a letter to the committee, requesting that its Chief Executive Officer be excused from the hearing.

The investigation also involves an examination of cash advances and the appropriate allocation of funds allocated by the House for some of these agencies.

Salam asserted, “We are going to use our constitutional power to ensure that every kobo spent by Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs) is prudently utilized.”

The committee members have previously expressed their dissatisfaction with the conduct of some government agency heads regarding parliamentary invitations and have called for appropriate sanctions.