The House Committee on the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Area Councils and Ancillary Matters has frowned at the disregard of its summons by agencies in Abuja
The House of Representatives Committee on the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Area Councils and Ancillary Matters has announced its decision to undertake intensive oversight on agencies responsible for all Area Councils in Nigeria’s capital. This move comes in response to the refusal of several agencies to comply with summons requesting the presentation of their budgetary expenditures.
The committee has also threatened to sanction the social development secretariat due to its consistent failure to honour invitations over the past year, warning to escalate the issue to President Bola Tinubu, highlighting that some of his ‘foot soldiers’ are avoiding accountability
Rep. Frederick Agbedi (PDP Bayelsa), the committee chairman, emphasized the necessity for these agencies to account for their expenditures before receiving additional funds. “After a budget cycle, you spent money, you need to account for it before you get other monies. But when you’re not responding to such, it means you’re running away from accountability. It means you have something to hide, and for us as a committee, we’re prepared to work and ensure a better service is rendered to the people,” Agbedi stated.
He further stressed the constitutional obligation for public office holders to provide an account of their stewardship, adding that despite some agencies submitting their reports, many others have failed to do so for nearly a year. Agbedi warned that the Committee would invoke its powers to enforce accountability, which may include investigating non-compliant agencies.
He further frowned at the failure of chief executive officers of the few agencies which appeared before the Committee, to personally attend the very important meeting. To address the situation, Agbedi directed all affected agencies to coordinate with the committee’s secretariat to develop schedules for oversight visits. He emphasized that the committee would no longer tolerate excuses for non-compliance.
The meeting was attended by representatives from several agencies, including the Auditor General for the FCT Area Councils, FCT Area Councils Pension Board, FCT Area Councils Universal Basic Education Board, FCT Area Councils Public Service Board, Area Councils Resettlement and Compensation Secretariat, FCT Area Councils Agriculture and Rural Development Secretariat, and the FCT Area Councils Christian Pilgrims Welfare Board.
The Committee however scheduled next three weeks for oversight engagements with the concerned agencies.
