The Nigerian Senate has responded strongly after the Auditor-General’s recent report revealed a shocking N105.6 billion misappropriated by various Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs) of the government. The Senate has made it clear that it will impose sanctions on any agency found guilty of such financial misconduct.
Senator Garba Maidoki, Chairman of the Senate Committee on Legislative Compliance, made this statement at a workshop hosted by the National Institute for Legislative and Democratic Studies (NILDS) in partnership with the Konrad Adenauer Stiftung (KAS) in Abuja. Maidoki stressed that the Senate could not ignore the scale of financial mismanagement, especially during a time when Nigeria is facing significant fiscal challenges. He warned that MDAs would be held accountable if they failed to respond to the Auditor-General’s findings.
The report uncovered that N105.66 billion was misused across various government agencies, with N18.36 billion of that spent on contracts that did not follow the required procedures under the Public Procurement Act. This revelation has raised alarms about the continued mismanagement of public funds in Nigeria.
Senate President Godswill Akpabio, represented by Deputy Senate President Jibrin Barau, also reinforced the importance of MDAs following legislative resolutions for the country’s development and the public’s trust. He emphasized that the Senate’s role in overseeing public funds is crucial to ensure transparency and prevent corruption.
The Acting Clerk to the National Assembly, Mr. Kamoru Ogunlana, highlighted that for the laws to be meaningful and for public trust in government to grow, there must be consistent and effective compliance with Senate directives. Professor Abubakar Sulaiman, Director General of NILDS, noted challenges such as weak enforcement and lack of political support, which make it harder for MDAs to comply with legislative rules, potentially undermining public confidence in government institutions.
In response to the findings, the Senate’s Committee on Public Accounts has started an investigation into the mismanagement of funds. Senator Maidoki assured that the Senate would pursue necessary sanctions to hold agencies accountable and protect public resources.
This development marks an important step in the Senate’s ongoing effort to strengthen oversight, fight corruption, and promote good governance in Nigeria. The Senate’s commitment to holding public institutions accountable aims to restore trust and ensure that public resources are used effectively for the country’s development.
