By Chukwudi Obasi, Abuja
The House of Representatives has directed the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Mr. Nyesom Wike, to urgently appoint a substantive Auditor-General for the Area Councils in line with the law.
This resolution was adopted during yesterday’s Public Accounts Committee (PAC) hearing, during which lawmakers raised concerns over the prolonged vacancy.
The committee observed that the absence of a substantive Auditor-General had stalled the signing and transmission of audited financial reports, a requirement enshrined in the constitution.
While addressing the committee, the Acting Auditor-General for the Area Council, Mr. Abdullahi Ibn Salihu, presented a financial report but noted that most of the irregularities identified occurred under previous administrations. He explained that he had only been in the role for six months in an acting capacity.
Chairman of the PAC, Bamidele Salam, underscored the urgency of the appointment, drawing a parallel with the prolonged vacancy in the Office of the Auditor-General for the Federation.
“Honourable colleagues, I think we must step into this. When we resumed in October 2023, the Office of the Auditor-General for the Federation had been vacant for almost two years because former President Muhammadu Buhari failed to make an appointment.
“This meant that audit reports were not submitted as required. My Senate counterpart and I had to write to the President and engage in advocacy before a substantive Auditor-General was appointed,” Salam said.
He added that the committee must intervene if the FCT Area Councils faced a similar situation.
He suggested writing to the FCT Minister and inviting him to explain the delay in appointing a substantive Auditor-General.
Following this, Obordor Mitema moved a motion, which was seconded by Usman Bala and unanimously adopted by the committee.
During the hearing, lawmakers scrutinised the area councils’ financial reports.
They identified several infractions, including the non-submission of audited financial reports for 2023 and 2024, failure to remit pension deductions to the Pension Commission (PENCOM), and non-submission of available audit reports to the committee.
A member, Billy Osawaru, called for strict enforcement of the law against financial mismanagement, stressing that such infractions must not continue unchecked.
To investigate the matter further, the committee set up a five-member sub-committee chaired by Tochukwu Okere.
Other members include Honourable Ajiya Abdulrahman, Honourable Mandara Usman, Mauruff Adebayo, and Mohammed Bargaja.
The sub-committee will examine the financial discrepancies and make recommendations.
Several FCT Area Council officials attended the hearing.
The Chairmen of Abuja Municipal Area Council (AMAC), Christopher Zakka Maikalangu, and Bwari Area Council, John Gabaya, were present.
