These form part of the recommendations that was adopted by the House at today’s plenary of the House, during the presentation of report of the House Standing Committee on Public Accounts on the consolidated Financial Statements and Report of the Auditor – General for Local Governments for the Year ended 31st December, 2021.
The report was presented by the Committee Chairman, Hon. Andrew Doma, Member Representing Shiroro Constituency at today’s plenary of the House.
Presenting the Committee report, the Chairman informed his colleagues that in carrying out the assignment the Committee drew up a time table to serve as a guide during the conduct of it’s hearing on the report which commenced on 19th February, 2024 and ended on 4th March 2024, All the 25 Local Government Chairmen, their Directors of Administration, Finance, Works, Internal Auditors and some other officials appeared before the Committee, oral and written responses in defense of all outstanding issues raised were noted and analyzed.
The Committee Chairman further explained that the Committee engaged representative of the Auditor – General for Local Governments who usually advice the committee on matters of procedure and the provisions.
The Committee made the followings observations which includes.
Internally Generated Revenue ( IGR), the Committee carefully observed that actual revenue collected during the year under review was far below the approved Budgeted revenue in most of the Local Government with the exception of Bida and Lapai in Zone ‘A’ , Tafa in Zone ‘B’ and Agwara in Zone ‘C’ which surpassed their budgeted revenue, all the rest council recorded low Collections.
Capital Expenditure Performance in all 25 Local Government Councils was poor during the year under review as none of the Councils accessed up to 50% of their approved Capital Allocation and hence their poor performance.
Internal Control, which ought to have instill Financial discipline and prudence in public Finances as well as promote accountability and prevent fraud, is generally weak in all the Councils.
The Committee Chairman also highlighted the Committee’s recommendations which includes
That henceforth, local government Councils should embark on projects that will enhance their revenue base , this would reduce their over dependence on Statutory Allocation, they should also endeavor to block leakages.
That accounting officers should desist from acting on verbal instruction/directives, they should rather insist on doing the proper things and keep and maintain record as this will go a long way in reducing the numbers of queries
That the two (2) major actors , Chief Accountants and internal Auditors should cultivate and develop the habit of synergy among themselves as this will go a long way in strengthening internal Control and proper financial record keeping.
That Local Government service Commission in Collaboration with the Local Government Councils be directed to involve the office of the Auditor – General for Local Governments in the recruitment and appointment of Internal Auditors and merit should be over and above any other consideration during such appointments .,
At the end of the presentation of the Committee’s report and subsequent deliberations the House unanimously adopted all the recommendations of the Committee, The Speaker, Rt. Hon. Barr. Abdulmalik Mohammad Sarkin -Daji, Commended the Members of the Committee for a job well done.
In another development the Niger State House of Assembly has Commenced debate on the Second reading of a Bill for a law to provide for the Establishment of the Niger State Agency for Green Initiatives and for related matters.
At the end of deliberations on the Bill, the Speaker, Barr. Abdulmalik Mohammed Sarkin -Daji who presided over today’s plenary of the House refered the Bill to the House Standing Committees on Environment, Agriculture, Water Resources, Lands and Commerce and Investments respectively for further Legislative action.
Farouq Umar Isah
Head of Media and Public Relations,
Niger State House of Assembly,
23/07/2024.
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