The finances of the indicted ministries, departments, and agencies (MDAs) in Lagos State are the subject of an investigation by the Lagos State House of Assembly based on the 2021 Auditor-General Statutory Report.
This statement was made by Mr. Nurudeen Saka-Solaja, the chairman of the house committee on public accounts, during his opening remarks before the start of the investigation on Wednesday at the assembly complex.
The Public Accounts Committee was formally established under Sections 125 and 129 of the Federal Republic of Nigeria’s 1999 Constitution, as amended.
The committee is a crucial tool for accountability, probity, and checks in both federal and state legislative institutions.
The 1999 (amended) Constitution’s Sections 125(2) and 129(1) (c) therefore serve as allowing the Public Accounts Committee to summon any Nigerian to testify anywhere or to present any document.
The purpose of the exercise, according to Saka-Solaja (Ikorodu II), was not to persecute the MDAs but rather to make sure that the committee’s legal oversight served as a deterrent to the state’s MDAs’ financial irresponsibility.
He went on to say that the goal of the exercise was to get answers to the unanswered questions from the Auditor-General’s report. This would help the state provide better services.
The legislator stated that this exercise will cover the time period from January 1, 2021, to December 31, 2021, as well as the economic activity of all MDAs in every area of state government.
In order to improve service delivery in Lagos state, the legislator stated that the committee’s goal was to invite the heads of the implicated MDAs to ask for clarifications about the issues identified in the auditor-general’s report.
He said: “The exercise will also ascertain the completion, accuracy and reliability of the financial transactions within the sectors.
“The committee will also confirm the level of compliance with financial regulations, relevant legislations and accounting standards and reflect on each sector’s financial performance and position.
“The aim of the committee is to invite all heads of the indicted MDAs and to seek clarifications regarding the queries raised in the auditor general’s report to enhance service delivery in the state.
“The exercise will also ascertain the completion, accuracy and reliability of the financial transactions within the sectors.
“The committee will also confirm the level of compliance with financial regulations, relevant legislations and accounting standards and reflect on each sector’s financial performance and position.”
According to Saka-Solaja, the committee will verify the revenue and budget performance of each MDA, as well as the budgets for capital expenditures and the reconciliation of financial records.
The member explained that this had to do with the MDAs’ Oracle system and their project management and control systems in the state.
He observed that, despite the fact that the task at hand was enormous, it had to be completed if the state was to advance and achieve probity.
Saka-Solaja advised MDA personnel to keep in mind that the public had high expectations of this administration since other states had recognised them as the benchmark for integrity and accountability in governance.
He said that the assembly’s house was led by Mr. Mudashiru as speaker.
Obasa could not afford to let down his supporters.
The member claimed that the current administration was in a good position to expand and strengthen earlier state development initiatives.
After the exercise, Saka-Solaja reaffirmed that the report of findings and recommendations would be put together and sent to the house for consideration.
He claimed that agreement on the exercise’s results would make it easier to manage the state’s resources effectively.
