NASS Inaugurates PAC Committee, Promises Probity and Accountability in Public Account

By Onwe Wisdom

National Assembly has  Inaugurated Public Account Committee to further ensure probity and accountability in public account such that tax payers money will be judiciously spent as allocated to ministries, departments and agencies of government.

Inaugurating the committee at the Senate Public Account hearing room, the  Chairman, House of Representatives Public Accounts Committee (PAC) who doubled as the Vice Chairman of National Assembly Public Account Committee and Representative of NASS Public Account Committee Chairman Rep. Bamidele Salam said  the the inauguration is to give life to the  National Association of Public Accounts Committees (NAPAC) as a platform for sharing and exchange of ideas and experiences at all levels to revitalise, strengthen, ensure Probity and accountability.

Rep. Bamidele Salam in a combined opening remark both as vice chairman and representative of the committee chairman said  the meeting comes at a critical time in Nigeria’s history, when the need for transparency, accountability, and good governance has never been more pressing.

Adds that it to midwife innovative approaches to addressing the perennial challenges of corruption, transparency, and accountability that have plagued our nation for decades.

According to him, this would be achieved in collaborations with anti-corruption agencies, civil society organizations, and the media.

He affirmed that the Association is a pivotal platform for promoting transparency and accountability in governance, noting that in recent times, the Association’s activities have been dormant, necessitating the need for a quick revitalization.

“It is in this context that we are inaugurating this Ad-hoc Committee, tasked with the vital responsibility of reconvening the meeting of NAPAC.

“Firstly, to revive NAPAC and restore its vibrancy, ensuring that it plays its rightful role in promoting good governance and accountability across Nigeria.

“Through NAPAC, we would be able to leverage our networks and memberships in continental and regional sister Associations like the African Organization of Public Accounts (AFROPAC), West African Association of Public Accounts (WAPAC), Southern African Development Community of Public Accounts Committees (SADCOPAC), and several others for study exchanges, capacity-building, and experience sharing opportunities.

“I enjoin us to work tirelessly to revitalize NAPAC, promote transparency and accountability, and enthrone good governance in Nigeria. The task ahead is daunting, but with collective effort, unwavering commitment, and an unshakeable faith in our nation’s potential, I am confident that we shall succeed” he stressed.

Addressing Journalists immediately after the inauguration, Rep. Salam who expand on the need for a vibrancy of the committee to ensure Nigeria participation on the global stage,  promised to engage more with the offices of the Auditor General of the Federation and the Accountant General of the Federation to addressing the delays in presenting their reports on MDAs before the PAC.

“Addressing the issue will help speed up the work of the Committee in its Constitutional responsibility of scrutinizing the various infractions being committed by MDAs.

“Of course, Nigerians should expect that we are going to have more productivity, especially in consideration of the report of the Auditor General.

“It will interest you to know that, as you speak, it’s only the 2021 report of the Auditor General that we have before the National Assembly, which is not what is envisaged by the Constitution.

“We want to see a situation where we’ll be able to catch up with 2022 and 2023 reports by next year, so that Nigeria will also be at par with some other countries that are already considering the 2023 report of the Auditor General.

“So we’ll have more productivity. We’ll also be able to bring more of these agencies of government in line, whip them in line to ensure that all monies appropriated by the National Assembly are spent judiciously, efficiently, and in a very lawful manner” he pointed.