Payment Advances: Senate Indicts 39 MDAs Over N2.2bn Funds

BY VICTOR BUORO – The Ministry of Information and Budget Office of the Federation are among 39 Federal Government Ministries Departments and Agencies (MDAs) indicted by the Nigerian Senate for their alleged failure in retiring to the Federation Account advances amounting to about N2.2 billion

The Senate’s position against the MDAs is part of its resolutions following the consideration and approval of its Public Accounts Committee (SPAC) report arising from queries raised by the Auditor-General for the Federation (AuGF) in his 2015 Audit Report.

The upper legislative Chamber committee, led by Senator Matthew Urhoghide, is currently working simultaneously on 2016, 2017, and 2018 AuGF reports.

Consequently, the Senate wants the accounting officers of the erring MDAs to face sanctions in line with the provisions of Rule 3124 of Financial Regulations.

The query served on the affected MDAs read thus; “Some MDAs showed an increase in outstanding advances to the tune of N2.29bn over 2014 comparative figures and others showing no movement contrary to the provisions of the extant regulations which require prompt retirement of advances.

“The above implies that there is a violation of financial regulations (2009) Nos.1404,1405,1416,1419 and 1420 which require prompt retirement of advances. The MDAs with previous year’s advances that were not retired were granting additional advances.

“The huge outstanding advances imply a breakdown of internal controls over the issuance of advances. The non-retirement of advances as at when due should be addressed by the Accountant-General of the Federation with strict sanctions.”

The Committee’s report, which was upheld by the Senate, said the Accountant-General of the Federation (AGF), did not respond to the query, adding that the non-response to the query meant acceptance of the infractions contained therein which ultimately is a violation of existing financial regulations.

Among the agencies indicted by the Senate’s report include the Federal Ministry of Interior, the National Industrial Court; Ministry of Communication Technology; High Court of Justice, Federal Capital Territory (FCT); Sharia Court of Appeal, Abuja; National Planning Commission (NPC), and the Federal Ministry of Water Resources.

Also on the list of indicted MDAs are the Federal Ministry of Culture and National Orientation; Public Complaints Commission (PCC); Federal Civil Service Commission (FCSC); Bureau of Public Service Reforms (BPSR); Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS); and the Police Service Commission (PSC) among others.