Correct errors in budget, Reps charge auditor general

The House of Representatives Committee on Public Accounts on Wednesday asked the office of auditor general to the federation to go and correct errors in its 2019 budget estimates.

The committee gave this order during the agency’s budget presentation when discrepancies and misrepresentation of facts were observed by committee members.

A committee member, Rep. Ralph Igbokwe (APC/Imo) had noticed that N50.8 million paid for an ongoing capital project was not appropriately captured in the agency’s presentation.

Responding to the query, the Auditor-General of the Federation, Mr. Anthony Ayine told the committee that the error was not deliberate as it was captured in another page under capital expenditure.

However, his response did not go down well with the lawmakers who bombarded him with more questions.

Another lawmaker retorted that “you captured a 1, 000kva generator as a 100kva generator and you think we will fold hands and look at you in the face.”

Chairman of the committee, Rep. Kingsley Chinda (PDP/Rivers) informed the auditor general that “take note also that what we have here in your sub-heads as budget performance and utilization are supposed to stand separately.

“Budget performance can’t in any form be budget utilization; please take note of the difference. As the watch dog of every organ of government, the auditor general is expected to live above board.

“The agency is expected to manage whatever is in its possession appropriately. We expect enough accountability and transparency from an important agency like auditor general’s office.

“This is irrespective of the envelope given to the ministry and we expect errors corrected and war against corruption must begin with your office.”

The committee adjourned sine die.