The Nigerian Senate, through its Committee on Public Accounts, expressed strong disapproval towards the management of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL), the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS), the Nigeria Police Force, and twelve other agencies for their persistent refusal to respond to audit queries raised against them in the 2019 Audit Report.
During a press briefing in Abuja, Senator Ahmed Wadada Aliyu (SDP-Nasarawa West), Chairman of the Committee, voiced his frustration over the agencies' continuous disregard for invitations to defend their actions. "The attitude of these public agencies is frustrating and detrimental to the aspirations and goals of President Bola Tinubu’s administration," Wadada stated.
The Committee began considering the Audit Report in October 2023, with plans to present its findings to the Senate Plenary. However, several agencies have willfully failed to honor invitations to defend their written responses to the audit queries submitted to the Committee Secretariat. "Any agency that refuses to honor invitations to defend its queries will have those queries sustained and reported to the Senate Plenary by the committee," Wadada warned.
In addition to NNPCL, FIRS and the Police, other agencies involved include the Office of the Accountant General of the Federation, the Nigeria Mining Cadastre Office, the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (formerly DPR), the Federal Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment, the FCT Internal Revenue Service, the Nigeria Immigration Service, the Federal Ministry of Women Affairs, the Ministry of Defence and the Nigeria Communications Satellite Limited.
Wadada emphasized the importance of accountability and transparency, stating, "The desire of the Public Accounts Committee to timely discharge its constitutional and legislative function is being hindered by the evasive and negative actions of some CEOs or accounting officers of the concerned MDAs."
Meanwhile, the House of Representatives Special Committee on Oil Theft/Losses has recommended special intervention funds for the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) and the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) to enhance their performance. During a special session on combating crude oil theft in Abuja, Chairman Alhasan Ado Doguwa highlighted the lack of support for NSCDC and NCS, which hinders their ability to operate effectively.
The NSCDC Commandant General, represented by Deputy Commandant General Philip Ayuba, noted the corps’ crucial role in protecting national assets but lamented the lack of special intervention funds.
Similarly, Assistant Comptroller Custom Oloyede Adekunle of the Nigeria Customs Service echoed concerns about insufficient assistance from other establishments.
Doguwa assured that efforts would be made to ensure NSCDC's full involvement in the fight against oil theft and losses, commending the Federal Government’s initiatives to protect oil and gas infrastructure. He urged security agencies to voice their challenges to enable the Committee to make informed decisions beneficial to the country.
Comments