The Public Accounts Committee’s (PAC) report, which found deficiencies in the administration of state and local government spending between 2019 and 2024, was approved by the Jigawa State House of Assembly.
Under the direction of Speaker Rt. Hon. Haruna Aliyu Dangyatin, the report was approved in plenary.
In accordance with Sections 125 and 128 of the 1999 Constitution, PAC Chairman and Deputy Speaker Hon. Sani Isyaku Abubakar presented the results
He claimed that the committee’s examination of the State Auditor-General’s and the Auditor-General for Local Governments’ reports exposed a number of anomalies in public spending during the five-year period.
He claims that the committee discovered purported overpayments, unaccounted expenses, non-compliance with procurement regulations, inadequate record keeping, and fictitious and unauthorized payments.
Inadequate storage facilities for official records and a lack of training for certain public finance officers, especially at the local government level, were also highlighted in the report.
The committee suggested recovering diverted and unaccounted funds through due process and returning them to the public treasury in order to rectify the shortcomings. It also demanded disciplinary actions and penalties for anyone found to be at fault.
The PAC also recommended the provision of fireproof storage facilities for appropriate record management, as well as frequent capacity-building and retraining for accounting staff, particularly in local councils.
In order to encourage accountability and openness in public finance management, it also suggested providing rewards to employees who exhibit professionalism and good accounting practices.
The report was unanimously approved by lawmakers following lengthy discussions.
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