On Thursday, the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) of the House of Representatives announced a five-day ultimatum for Mr. Yakubu Adam Kofarmata, Permanent Secretary of the Federal Ministry of Works. This decision stems from the committee’s need for clarification concerning the alleged non-execution of a federal road construction project in Kaduna State, which is valued at over N1.46 billion. The announcement was made by the committee’s chairman, Bamidele Salam, after the Permanent Secretary failed to respond to two previous invitations to appear before the committee. The focus of the meeting was primarily on compliance with financial regulations and the Procurement Act, alongside an evaluation of the project’s value for money.
The road construction contract in question covers a stretch of 115 kilometers and was awarded to Jam-Jam Dynamic Platform Ltd on October 5, 2022, with a projected completion timeline of 12 months. The PAC expressed dissatisfaction with the Permanent Secretary’s apparent disregard for the committee’s requests, characterizing his attitude as habitually dismissive. The committee is adamant that this situation will not be treated lightly, marking a clear stance against any form of evasion or negligence in accountability by public officials.
Despite invitations issued on August 5 and October 11, 2024, the Permanent Secretary neither appeared before the committee nor provided any written response. This lack of compliance has prompted the PAC to escalate the situation, insisting that the Permanent Secretary must explain why full payment was made to Jam-Jam Dynamic Platform Ltd without evidence of any project work being carried out. Recognizing the gravity of the issue, a motion targeting this concern was proposed, amended, and unanimously endorsed by PAC members.
The committee’s directive is explicit: the Permanent Secretary must show cause within the specified timeframe as to why a warrant for his arrest should not be sought due to his failure to comply. Specifically, this measure pertains to the alleged misuse of N1.4 billion paid to Jam-Jam Dynamic Platform Ltd for the construction of the Gidanwanya-Guaran, Dutse-Waman, Ravi-Saminaka-Kano Road, which now stands in question given the project’s purported abandonment. The seriousness of this allegation underlines the PAC’s commitment to maintaining fiscal integrity among government officials.
As part of their accountability efforts, the Public Accounts Committee has issued a stern warning to the Permanent Secretary regarding these significant financial concerns. Should he fail to provide the necessary explanations or appear before them by Tuesday, October 29, 2024, the committee will not hesitate to initiate processes for his arrest based on allegations of financial impropriety related to the road project. This ultimatum signifies a pivotal point in the committee’s oversight role, emphasizing their dedication to enforcing adherence to financial regulations.
In conclusion, the ongoing investigation into the alleged abandonment of the road construction project highlights crucial issues regarding transparency and accountability within governmental operations. The Public Accounts Committee’s firm stance against the Permanent Secretary’s non-compliance reflects its commitment to rooting out inefficiencies and holding individuals accountable for public funds. As the deadline approaches, the actions taken by both the committee and the Permanent Secretary will be closely monitored, setting a significant precedent for future interactions between public officials and oversight bodies.
