Reps probe NNPC, FIRS, others over N5bn, $71,223.23 audit query

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2 years ago

The House of Representatives’ Committee on Public Accounts, chaired by Hon. Bamidele Salam has issued 7-day ultimatum to managements of Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation Limited (NNPCL), Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) and others to respond to audit queries bothering on misappropriation of over N5 billion and $71,223.23 public fund.

Hon. Salam (PDP-Osun) issued the notice at the resumed investigative hearing into the 2019 audit queries issued by the office of the Auditor General for the Federation (oAuGF).

He observed five audit queries ranging from payment vouchers not supported with adequate and relevant documents worth N138,541,586.62; failure to deduct statutory taxes from contractors fee to the tune of N4,264,099.30; irregular payment of duty tour allowances to staff without proper description of purpose worth N21,300,000; non-compliance to limit on cost of meals and refreshment during official meetings to the rune of N40,234,099:50 and stoppage on non-payment of annual subscriptions, fees and other related charges to professional bodies on behalf of officers in services amounting to N26,268,640.

The Committee also observed that NNPCL was queried for making payments without adequate supporting documents amounting to N1,925,388,991:70.

The Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) is requested to appear before the Committee to explain issues relating to under-remittance of the approved 25% Federal Government share of the internally generated revenues/operating surplus to the Consolidated Revenue Fund account worth N2,984,887,250.

The Agency is also expected to respond to audit queries over long outstanding credit lodgements in the Revenue Collection Bank Accounts not credited to the Joint NCAA and other Aviation agencies sharing bank to the tune of N743,167,632.20 and $71,223.23.

The Committee is also expected to quiz NCAA over non-deduction of 1% Stamp Duty on some contracts awarded and paid for in 2018 worth N15,254,721.90.

The oAuGF also issued audit query against Investment and Securities Tribunal on the N70,044,660.76 as well as the National Industrial Court of Nigeria is to invited in relation to non-deduction and remittance of Value Added Tax as well as stamp duty related matters amounting to N2,440,000.

In view of the change of leadership in some of the agencies and invited organisations, it was resolved that a new invitation date be issued to enable them with the Federal Inland Service (FIRS) scheduled to cause appearance on Thursday, 2nd November, 2023.

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