Jigawa Assembly Adopts 2019–2024 Report, Okays Probe

The Jigawa State House of Assembly has adopted the report by its Public Accounts Committee (PAC) on the reports of the state accountant-general and the accountant-generals of the 27 local governments on public expenditure between 2019 and 2024.

The House adopted the reports during a session presided over by the Speaker, Haruna Aliyu Dangyatin.

The chairman of the House Committee on Public Accounts, who is also the deputy speaker, Hon. Sani Isyaku Abubakar, presented the report in accordance with Sections 125 and 128 of the Nigerian Constitution.

He said after examining the reports of the auditor-general of the state government and the Auditor General of the local government councils, many gaps were identified in the implementation of public expenditure between 2019 and 2024.

He stated that the report identified instances of alleged overpayments, unaccounted expenditure, non-compliance with public procurement laws, poor record-keeping, and fictitious and unauthorised payments.

Hon. Sani added that the report also identified poor storage facilities for record keeping, as well as a lack of capacity and training among some public financial managers, particularly at the local government level.

The PAC, however, recommended following due process to recover diverted and unaccounted funds and return them to the public treasury. At the same time, sanctions and disciplinary action should be taken against anyone found guilty.

Capacity-building training and retraining were also recommended for accounting staff, especially at the local government level. Additionally, fireproof storage facilities should be made available.

The report further recommended rewarding staff who demonstrate professionalism and excellent accounting practices to encourage probity and accountability.

After presenting the comprehensive PAC report, the House deliberated at length and adopted it unanimously.

According to some public commentators, the PAC Report and recommendations were described by the Assembly as the first of their kind in over a decade, and the Assembly was called on to maintain the tempo to enforce and enhance discipline in public financial management in the state.