The House of Representatives took decisive action to address a critical oversight gap within the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) administration. Concerned by the absence of a substantive Auditor-General for the Area Councils, a position essential for financial accountability and transparency, the House urged FCT Minister Nyesom Wike to rectify the situation without delay. This vacancy, the House noted, had created a bottleneck in the auditing process, preventing the timely submission of audited accounts to the Public Accounts Committee, a constitutional requirement that ensures proper scrutiny of public funds. The House’s intervention underscored the importance of maintaining a robust and independent auditing function within the FCT’s local administrations.
The Public Accounts Committee, tasked with overseeing government spending, discovered this critical vacancy during a hearing. The committee’s Chairman, Bamidele Salam, highlighted the detrimental impact of this absence, drawing a parallel to a similar situation encountered at the federal level, where the Office of the Auditor-General for the Federation had remained vacant for two years under the previous administration. This vacancy, he argued, directly hampered the submission of audit reports and impeded the committee’s oversight function. Salam’s remarks underscored the urgent need to appoint a substantive Auditor-General for the Area Councils to prevent a recurrence of this accountability lapse at the local level. He proposed a resolution to address the issue, emphasizing the necessity of engaging with the FCT Minister to understand the reasons behind the vacancy and urge prompt action.
The Acting Auditor-General for the Area Councils, Abdullahi Salihu, provided context to the committee, explaining that many of the identified financial irregularities predated his tenure. Having served in an acting capacity for only six months, Salihu clarified that the accumulated issues, which included the non-submission of audited financial reports from 2023-2024, the failure to remit pension deductions, and the lack of submission of available audited reports to the committee, stemmed from earlier administrations. This explanation highlighted the systemic nature of the oversight issues and the need for a permanent appointment to ensure continuity and accountability within the Area Councils’ auditing process.
Members of the House expressed their concerns regarding the gravity of the infractions. Billy Osawaru advocated for the full application of the law to address the identified breaches, emphasizing the need for strong action to deter future misconduct and reinforce the importance of financial compliance within the FCT administration. The committee, recognizing the complexity of the situation and the need for a thorough investigation, formed a five-member sub-committee chaired by Tochukwu Okere. This sub-committee was tasked with delving deeper into the matter, examining the extent of the financial irregularities, and formulating recommendations for corrective action. This move demonstrated the House’s commitment to a comprehensive and transparent process to address the accountability gaps.
The composition of the sub-committee included Ajiya Abdulrahman, Mandara Usman, Mauruff Adebayo, and Mohammed Bargaja, representing a diverse range of perspectives and expertise to ensure a comprehensive review of the issues at hand. The presence of key local government officials, including the chairmen of the Abuja Municipal Area Council and Bwari Area Council, as well as representatives from the Kuje and Kwali Area Councils, signaled the importance of collaborative efforts between the House, the FCT administration, and the Area Councils in resolving these financial oversight challenges. This collective engagement aimed to foster greater transparency and accountability within the FCT’s local governance structures.
The House’s proactive intervention in addressing the vacancy of the Auditor-General for the Area Councils signifies a strong commitment to upholding financial probity within the FCT administration. By demanding the appointment of a substantive Auditor-General and initiating a thorough investigation into the identified financial irregularities, the House aimed to strengthen accountability mechanisms, ensure transparency in the management of public funds, and restore public trust in the financial management of the FCT Area Councils. This decisive action underscores the vital role of legislative oversight in ensuring responsible governance and the proper utilization of public resources.
