The House of Representatives has mandated all its standing Committees to thoroughly investigate agencies they supervise on alleged financial infractions.
The resolution followed the adoption of a motion by the Minority Leader, Mr. Ndudi Elumelu on the need to investigate the alleged infractions.
Presenting the motion, Mr. Elumelu said that ”though between 40 to 60 percent of funds have been released for the purpose of implementing the 2021 appropriation act, most of the MDAs are yet to dispense the funds for the purposes it is meant for.”
He expressed concern that “Some of the MDAs are alleged to have engaged in financial misappropriation by diverting such funds for other unrelated purposes, thereby frustrating government micro-economic framework while others are in outright denial of not receiving such releases.
‘’The alleged practices violate the 1999 constitution as amended and frustrate the implementation of government policies.”
The Lawmaker observed that if these were not put to check, the fight against corruption would be discredited.
The Speaker, Mr. Femi Gbajabiamila, also observed that if the allegations were true, then the issue is serious and need to be investigated.
The House mandated its committee on Finance and Appropriations to liaise with the Minister of Finance for the purpose of ascertaining releases to MDAs in compliance with the 2021 appropriation Act.
The House also mandated the committees to conclude the task within two weeks and report back for further legislative action before the presentation of 2022 budget estimates.
Lateefah Ibrahim
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