By Modupe Gbadeyanka
The Senate has threatened not to approve the 2018 budgets of about 450 Ministries, Departments and Agencies of the Federal Government until they submit their audited reports to its Committee on Public Accounts.
This threat was given on Wednesday by the Senate President, Mr Bukola Saraki, while reacting to the report submitted by the Senate Committee on Public Accounts.
The report, presented by Senator Matthew Urhoghide, revealed that out of the 497 parastatals of the Federal Government, only 47 of them submitted their audited reports to the Committee for consideration.
This, he said, was frustrating the efforts of the upper legislative chamber from passing the 2018 appropriation bill.
Some of the affected agencies are the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), Nigerian Port Authority (NPA), Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and others.
The Senate President, while commenting on this development, expressed dissatisfaction with the low level of compliance of the MDAs.
“I want to thank the committee for this very important report. We can now see that when they keep saying that we are not making such progress in the fight against corruption, it is because of the fundamental issues. The foundation is still very weak.
“If we have 497 parastatals and only 47 have sent their audited reports, I think there is a serious problem.
“Now, we found out that the agencies that are even meant to supervise are part of those who have not sent in their audit reports,” Mr Saraki said.
“Now, we have taken a resolution here today to say that unless the remaining agencies submit their audited reports, their budgets for 2018 are withheld,” he declared.
“Therefore, let us remember that when we are passing the 2018 budget, the committees that are presenting the reports of the parastatals should please confirm to us whether they have complied with the auditors’ report,” he said further.
“In the meantime, we will make sure that we also communicate to the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF) to ensure that all these parastatals get their accounts audited and submitted.
“I thank you for this report, it will go a long way in us continue to support the Executive in the fight against corruption,” the Senate President concluded.
