The Nigerian Senate has expressed disappointment and sternly warned Ministries, Agencies and Departments of sanction against the backdrop of the Auditor-General’s report that revealed a massive financial misappropriation to the tune of N105.6 billion.
The warning was conveyed by the Chairman of Senate Committee on Legislative Compliance, Senator Garba Maidoki at a workshop on legislative oversight organised by the National Institute for Legislative and Democratic Studies, NILDS, in partnership with the Konrad Adenauer Stiftung, KAS on Monday, 18 Noveber, 2024 in Abuja.
Maidoki insisted that the upper legislative chamber cannot condone a humongous misappropriation at a time so critical for the nation, noting that sanction will be imposed on erring MDAs, particularly if the report was ignored.
He expressed worry over frequent failure of some heads of MDAs and other government agencies to appear before the Senate for explanation on financial activities of their agencies.
Garba Maidoki
“We will take firm action against any agency head who disregards Senate directives,” he stated, emphasizing the need for prompt responses to the Auditor General’s report.
The Auditor General’s recent findings revealed that a total of N105.66 billion had been misappropriated across several MDAs, with N18.36 billion of this amount spent on contracts awarded without following the proper procedures outlined in the Public Procurement Act.
This comes amid growing concerns over the mismanagement of public funds, especially in light of Nigeria’s ongoing fiscal challenges.
Senate President Godswill Akpabio, represented by Deputy Senate President Jibrin Barau, reinforced the importance of legislative compliance in ensuring good governance.
“Ensuring MDAs adhere to legislative resolutions is vital to achieving Nigeria’s development goals and maintaining public trust,” Akpabio said.
He stressed that the Senate’s oversight role is critical to ensuring accountability and transparency in the management of public funds.
The Acting Clerk to the National Assembly, Mr. Kamoru Ogunlana, also highlighted the importance of compliance in strengthening public confidence in government institutions.
“For the laws to have meaning and for public institutions to earn trust, there must be consistent and effective compliance with legislative directives,” Ogunlana remarked.
Professor Abubakar Sulaiman, Director General of NILDS, pointed out some of the systemic challenges that undermine MDA compliance, including weak enforcement, bureaucratic inertia, and a lack of political support. He warned that these issues could lead to greater erosion of public trust in government institutions and hinder efforts to improve governance and transparency.
In light of the findings, the Senate’s Committee on Public Accounts has already initiated an investigation into the financial mismanagement reported by the Auditor General.
Senator Madoki assured that the Senate would pursue sanctions where necessary, reiterating the Senate’s commitment to holding public institutions accountable for their actions.
This latest development marks a significant step in the Senate’s ongoing efforts to strengthen oversight mechanisms, curb corruption, and ensure that public resources are managed efficiently.
The move reflects the Senate’s resolve to uphold transparency, restore public trust, and promote sustainable development in Nigeria.
