Reps summon NIGCOMSAT, NUPRE, others over N20.853bn audit query

The Public Accounts Committee (PAC) of the House of Representatives has summoned the leadership of Nigeria Communications Satellite Ltd (NIGCOMSAT), Nigeria Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRE), and other government institutions to resolve a serious N20.853 billion audit query.

This action also includes the Nigeria Export Processing Zones Authority (NEPZA) and three additional organizations.

The committee, chaired by Rep. Bamidele Salam, has given these agencies 72 hours to appear before it.
The Office of the Auditor-General of the Federation filed audit queries against these agencies totaling N20.853 billion.

Among the entities summoned are the Rural Electrification Agency (REA), the Nigeria Export Promotion Council (NEPC), and the Federal University of Petroleum Studies in Effurum, Delta State.

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Salam emphasized that this decision was made as a result of the agencies’ absence from a committee meeting intended to resolve the audit questions raised against them.

He also issued a harsh warning, adding that the invitation is the final notice before a warrant of arrest is issued against the heads of these entities.

Only the Rural Electrification Agency wrote letters to the committee requesting that the Chief Executive Officer be excused from attending the hearing.

Furthermore, the examination included a review of financial advances as well as the proper allocation of funds allotted by the House for certain of these institutions.

said, “We are going to use our constitutional power to ensure that every kobo spent by Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) is prudently utilized.”

Members of the committee earlier expressed their displeasure with the attitude of some government agency heads regarding parliamentary invitations and asked for suitable punishment.