The House of Representatives Committee on Public Account has asked the Federal Ministry of Water Resources to account for N46.1 million spent without due process.
The Chairman of the committee, Rep. Wole Oke (PDP-Osun) at an investigative hearing on Wednesday in Abuja, mandated the ministry to furnish the committee with details of all the expenditures.
The demand was sequel to a query raised by the Office of the Auditor General (OAGF) of the Federation and submitted to the parliament.
The OAGF’s query claimed that in 2015 financial year, N12.3 million was to 15 members of staff for various services which is above the authorised limit of N200,000.
It also said that the ministry spent another N33.1 million from capital and overhead components and the details were not produced for audit.
The Permanent Secretary in the ministry, Mrs Comfort Okairo told the lawmakers that the part of the money was spent on ministry members of staff participated in the 2015 Federal Public Service Games (FEPGA)
She explained that of the N12.3 million given to 15 members of staff, N1.8 million was given to the ministry’s Sports Manager, Mr Yahaya Bello.
She further explained that the amount was to cover for training allowances, fueling, first aid materials, hiring of training venue, DTA among others.
However, the permanent secretary could not show document to prove that the monies were spent in line with the Procurement Act.
The chairman of the committee said that figures in the response document submitted by the ministry was not adding up to the fund allegedly spent wrongly.
Oke said the committee will give the ministry another opportunity to provide a clear and accurate report backed with documents on how all the monies were spent.
“Our ruling is you will furnish this committee with details of the expenditures, the budgetary provision, the list of beneficiaries, evidence of releases and names of contractors.
“We shall also request the Office of the Accountant General to provide this committee with details of all the monies released to this ministry so we can compare notes.
“These are necessary before we can lay this query to rest,” he said.
