The House of Representatives Committee on Finance issued a stern warning on Monday, threatening to instruct the Accountant General of the Federation to freeze the accounts of Federal Government agencies that fail to provide accurate reports of their revenue to the government.
During a revenue monitoring exercise, the Director of Finance and Accounts at the Financial Reporting Council of Nigeria, Musa Jemaku, contested claims by the Office of the Accountant General regarding unpaid operating surpluses for the years 2019-2021.
Expressing dissatisfaction with the absence of several invited agencies, Vice Chairman of the committee, Saidu Abdullahi, highlighted the importance of their presence in revenue discussions. Out of eight agencies invited, only two appeared, while others failed to attend or communicate reasons for their absence.
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Abdullahi emphasized the gravity of the situation, stating that failure to comply with committee invitations could lead to drastic measures, including account freezes. He stressed the significance of revenue collection for national development and urged agencies to fulfill their obligations.
Jemaku defended his agency’s remittances, citing discrepancies in the AGF’s claims and emphasizing the need for proper communication channels between government entities.
The committee expects the absent agencies to appear by Tuesday, warning of repercussions for continued non-compliance. As the nation grapples with revenue challenges, such measures are deemed necessary to ensure accountability and fiscal responsibility.
