Niger State House of Assembly Strengthens Financial Accountability with Adoption of Public Accounts Committee Recommendations.
By Yahaya Zakka Minna.
The Niger State House of Assembly has taken a significant step towards enhancing financial management and accountability by unanimously adopting the recommendations put forth by the House Standing Committee on Public Accounts.
This decision follows the review of the Audited Financial Statements and Report from the State Auditor-General for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2022.
Committee Chairman, Hon. Andrew Doma, presented the report, which outlined essential guidelines aimed at improving oversight within the state’s Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs).
Key recommendations include:
1. Mandatory Representation: All MDAs are required to ensure that their Chief Accounting Officers (CAOs) attend Committee hearings, as proxies are not permitted. CAOs unable to attend must submit written justifications or face penalties.
2.Sanctions for Delayed Responses: The State Auditor-General is empowered to impose sanctions on MDAs that fail to respond promptly to audit queries, potentially withholding their emoluments and allowances until compliance is achieved.
3. Collaborative Workshops: A workshop will be organized to foster a robust working relationship between the State Auditor-General and the MDAs.
4.Training Initiatives: Addressing the need for skill enhancement, MDAs will receive focused training in public sector financial management and budget tracking.
5.Severe Penalties for Non-Compliance: MDAs that neglect to remit generated revenue will face strict sanctions, and the State Accountant-General must ensure that 10% of revenue is transferred to Local Government Areas.
6. Conclusive Exit Meetings: The office of the State Auditor-General and MWAs must conduct thorough exit meetings following each audit to ensure clarity and closure.
Following discussions on the Committee’s findings, the House reaffirmed its commitment to transparency and accountability in financial governance.
Speaker Rt. Hon. Barr. Abdulmalik Mohammad Sarkin-Daji commended the Committee for their diligent work, emphasizing that these measures represent a pivotal advancement in the state’s financial management practices.
