Auditor-General’s Report: Lagos Assembly Invites Ministries, Others

A committee on Public Accounts (State) of the Lagos House of Assembly on Wednesday commenced the consideration of the Auditor-General’s report on the accounts of the State for the year 2020.

Ezenwoko’s Blog reports that this was made known in a statement by Eromosele Ebhomele, the Chief Press Secretary to the Speaker of the Lagos Assembly, Mudashiru Obasa.

Speaking at the committee meeting, the Chairman, Hon. Saka Solaja, promised that the consideration of the report on the accounts is not a witch-hunt exercise.

Solaja, however, said the committee would invite indicted Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) for questioning in relation to its oversight function concerning the report.

Speaking just before the committee questioned the Lagos State Infrastructure Maintenance and Regulatory Agency led by Engr. Bisoye Coker Odusote, Solaja noted that the exercise was empowered by Section 125(2) and Section 129(1c) of the 1999 Constitution as amended.

He stated that the aim of the committee is to invite all heads of the indicted MDAs and to seek clarifications regarding the queries raised in the Auditor-General’s report to enhance service delivery in the State.

According to Solaja, the exercise will also ascertain the completion, accuracy and reliability of the financial transactions within the sectors and confirm the level of compliance with financial regulations, relevant legislations and accounting standards and reflect on each sector’s financial performance and position.

“In addition, the committee would confirm the revenue and budget performances of all MDAs, reconciliation of the financial records with the Oracle System of the of MDAs and ascertain the project management and control systems of MDAs in Lagos State.

“I urge you to bear in mind that public expectation is high on this administration, as we have been acknowledged as the reference point in probity and accountability in governance by other States in the Federation.

“The House of Assembly under the leadership of the Rt. Hon. Mudashiru Ajayi Obasa cannot afford to disappoint the electorate as the present administration is positioned to build and improve on previous foundations laid for the development
of the State.

“This exercise is not to witch-hunt any MDAs but to ensure that the committee’s statutory oversight is used as antidote for financial recklessness by Ministries, Departments and Agencies in the State.

“Let me assure you that reports of findings
and recommendations would be compiled and forwarded to the House for deliberations after the exercise,” Solaja said.