Reps committee summons FIRS, Immigration over failure to render account

The House of Representatives has summoned the Federal Inland Revenue Service, Nigerian Immigration Service, Nigerian Meteorological Agency, Niger State Command of the Nigerian Immigration Service, Investment and Security Tribunal, and the Pharmacists Council of Nigeria to appear before the Public Accounts Committee next Tuesday. The summons is in response to queries raised by the Auditor General for the Federation.

During Thursday’s committee hearing, members expressed dissatisfaction with the agencies’ failure to respond to previous invitations and address the serious allegations outlined in the 2019 Auditor General’s Report.

Furthermore, the Committee instructed the medical director of the Federal Medical Centre in Keffi, Nassarawa State, to appear next Tuesday with relevant documents to justify various expenditures totaling approximately 10 billion Naira, as questioned by the Auditor General for the Federation.

The Committee questioned the continuous request for time extensions from the Medical Director, who has held the position for nearly seven years, to address issues related to the diversion of public funds, failure to remit internally generated revenue to the federation accounts, and payment of allowances without the approval of the salaries and wages committee, among other allegations.

Similarly, the committee instructed the Acting Registrar of the Veterinary Council of Nigeria to present documentary evidence supporting his responses to ten audit queries from the Auditor General for the Federation.

House Committee member Dauda Zachariah Nyampa expressed concern about the council consistently using delaying tactics, hindering the work of the Public Accounts Committee, particularly in the 9th Assembly.

Chairman of the Public Accounts Committee, Rep. Bamidele Salam, reiterated the committee’s dedication to a thorough and unbiased investigation into various reported financial regulation violations by the MDAs in fulfilling their mandates.

At the meeting, the Minority Whip of the House of Representatives, Rep Isa Ali, accompanied by the Deputy Minority Leader, Rep. Ali Madaki, affirmed the backing of the House leadership for the efforts of the Public Accounts Committee. They emphasized the commitment of the 10th Assembly Leadership to fortify all committees, ensuring robust accountability across Ministries, Departments, and Agencies.