The Nigerian Senate has vowed to investigate and punish heads of ministries, departments, and agencies (MDAs) implicated in financial irregularities amounting to over N105 billion.
This commitment was made during a workshop held in Abuja on Monday.
The Senate warned that it would no longer tolerate disregard for its resolutions.
Senator Garba Madoki, Chairman of the Senate Committee on Legislative Compliance, issued the warning.
“We are going to be very strict on the report of the Auditor General for the Federation,” he declared.
The Auditor General’s recent report revealed shocking financial misconduct within government institutions.
The report, currently under review by the National Assembly, exposed how MDAs flouted financial regulations and procurement laws.
It detailed breaches including contracts worth N18.36 billion awarded without compliance with the Public Procurement Act.
Madoki emphasized that the Senate would enforce accountability.
“Measures will be taken against everyone who refuses to comply with Senate resolutions,” he stated firmly.
He criticized the recurring failure of agency heads to respond to Senate summons.
“The era of ignoring legislative oversight is over,” Madoki warned.
The Auditor General’s report painted a grim picture of Nigeria’s financial management systems.
It highlighted irregularities in the disbursement and utilization of public funds by several MDAs.
The report described these actions as violations of extant rules and regulations.
The Auditor General also expressed frustration over persistent weaknesses in government financial systems.
These weaknesses have persisted despite repeated recommendations to key officials, including the Minister of Finance and the Accountant General of the Federation.
The report stressed that accountability is even more critical as Nigeria grapples with dwindling revenues.
Experts have warned that unchecked financial misconduct could worsen the country’s economic woes.
Senator Madoki assured Nigerians that the Senate is committed to addressing these issues.
He confirmed that the Senate Committee on Public Accounts is already reviewing the Auditor General’s findings.
“We will take this job seriously,” he said.
“Where sanctions are required, we will not hesitate to act against any MDA violating the law.”
The Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, echoed this stance through his deputy, Jibrin Barau.
Barau conveyed Akpabio’s warning that the 10th National Assembly would not tolerate noncompliance from MDAs.
“No agency head who flouts Senate resolutions will go unpunished,” he emphasized.
The Senate’s tough stance comes amid rising concerns over impunity among government agencies.
Observers note that many agency heads have repeatedly ignored Senate summons without consequence.
This pattern of defiance undermines legislative oversight and accountability.
Senator Madoki acknowledged these challenges but promised a more proactive approach.
“The time for lax enforcement is over,” he said.