House of Representatives Urges FCT Minister Wike to Appoint Auditor-General for Area Councils

In a recent session, the Nigerian House of Representatives called on the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Minister, Nyesom Wike, to promptly appoint a substantive Auditor-General for the FCT Area Councils. This move aims to address the current oversight vacuum hindering the timely submission of audited financial reports, as mandated by the constitution.

Background

The Public Accounts Committee (PAC) of the House observed that the absence of a permanent Auditor-General has stalled the signing and transmission of audited accounts. During a presentation by the Acting Auditor-General for the Area Councils, Abdullahi Ibn Salihu, PAC Chairman Bamidele Salam highlighted the urgency of the matter. He noted that a similar situation at the federal level was resolved through legislative intervention, leading to the appointment of a substantive Auditor-General.

Key Issues Identified

Salihu, who has been in an acting capacity for six months, pointed out several infractions inherited from previous administrations:

• Non-submission of audited financial reports for 2023-2024: This delay hampers transparency and accountability in the Area Councils’ financial operations.
• Non-remittance of pension deductions to the Pension Commission (PENCOM): Failure to remit these funds affects the welfare of employees and contravenes statutory obligations.
• Non-submission of available audited reports to the committee: This omission prevents the PAC from performing its oversight functions effectively.

Legislative Response

In response to these issues, committee member Obordor Mitema moved a motion, seconded by Usman Bala, urging Minister Wike to expedite the appointment of a substantive Auditor-General. The House unanimously adopted the motion, emphasizing the necessity of this role for effective financial oversight.

Additionally, a five-member sub-committee, chaired by Tochukwu Okere, has been established to investigate the identified infractions and provide recommendations. Other members include Ajiya Abdulrahman, Mandara Usman, Mauruff Adebayo, and Mohammed Bargaja.

Implications

Appointing a substantive Auditor-General is crucial for ensuring financial accountability and transparency within the FCT Area Councils. It will facilitate the timely submission of audited reports, enable effective legislative oversight, and promote good governance at the local level.

The House’s directive underscores its commitment to upholding constitutional provisions and enhancing the integrity of public financial management in the Federal Capital Territory.