BY COBHAM NSA – The Federal Government has warned Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) against violating provisions of the Public Procurement Act in the implementation and payment of the 2025/2026 Capital Budget.
With threat of possible sanctions for any infringement, the Minister of State for Finance, Mrs. Doris Uzoka-Anite said government will no longer condone MDAs’ non-adherence laid down rules that tends to distort official financial processes.
A statement by Bawa Mokwa, Director of Press and Public Relations, Office of the Accountant-General of the Federation (OAGF), said Mrs Uzoka-Anite issued the warning at a stakeholders’ meeting on the implementation of the extended 2025 Capital Budget held at the Federal Ministry of Finance in Abuja.
Consequently, she maintained that all capital payments must comply with the principles of the Procurement Act while capital projects should be backed by cash before their execution.
According to her, no capital payment should be processed outside approved procurement procedures going forward.
While assuring that the nation has adequate funds to settle pending payments, the Minister urged MDAs to review and update their documentation to facilitate timely processing of payments.
In his remarks at the event, Accountant-General of the Federation, Dr. Shamseldeen Babatunde Ogunjimi, said the GIFMIS platform has been fully restored and is now operational.
He explained that 30 percent of the 2025 Capital Budget will be implemented between now and 31 November 2026, while the remaining 70 percent has been rolled over into the 2026 Capital Budget to ensure seamless implementation, in line with the directive of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
He also said with warrants already issued to MDAs, the Treasury House will commence implementation of the 30 percent component of the 2025 Budget by the end of next week.
Also speaking, the Director of Funds, Mr. Steve Ehikhamenor, in his welcome speech, told the MDAs to avoid budget overruns and strictly adhere to approved project items and their corresponding values.
He further cautioned MDAs to avoid exceeding the amounts specified in their warrants; return any unutilized or excess funds to the Treasury; and liaise with GIFMIS officials for necessary technical support.
Equally, Mr Ehikhamenor tasked all MDAs to be compliant and abide by all relevant legal documentation in the overall interest of an open and transparent financial system.
