Group Fault Reps Committee’s Refund Order on Remita

Following the House of Representatives Committee on Public Account’s resolution ordering Remita to refund N183 billion alleged to have been withheld by the Fintech company from remitted funds since 2015, to the Federal Government, a coalition of Civil Society Organizations CSOs led by Media Practitioners for Development (MPD) has called on the House Committee to be circumspect in handling the matter, stressing that Remita has a right to be heard and for detailed reconciliation of figures to be carried out before conclusions could be made on the matter.

In a press statement made available to newsmen in Abuja on Monday by the coalition of Civil Society Groups and signed by its coordinator, Johnson Eze, the group described the decision of the lawmakers going to the Press to make the order was like putting the cart before the horse.

Eze reminded the House Committee that Remita is a foremost brand in electronic money transfer in Nigeria.

The national coordinator of the group added that Remita has been an indispensable partner in the Treasury Single Account, TSA and has proven to be efficient and reliable resulting in the huge success TSA has made in reducing fund leakage in the anti-corruption front. In fact, the company has earned so much commendation and awards in operation of TSA that it will amount to speaking double mouth for the Government to now accuse Remita of fund diversion.

He said: “Remita as an internationally rated Fintech, operating in and outside the country, we must be careful not to damage its reputation by alleging infraction in its transaction where it does not exist as the company’s integrity is worth more than silver or Gold.

“Specifically, transferring of funds in multiple forms as is the case with Remita operations is prone to unintentional error. In fact, often we send money through phones or banks and experience delays, non-delivery or outright return to sender.

“What that tells us is that technology is not perfect and can suffer from a glitch at any time. When such happens, we should give the operators the opportunity to re-examine the system closely and remedy the issue.

“We need not run to the media with the screaming headline that the company must return an amount which has not even been confirmed as has happened in this instance.”

The group emphasized that the biggest challenge confronting Nigeria development is corruption. “There is no known policy or program of government that has made as much savings as the TSA/ Remita operations. As at 24th June 2022, Voice of Nigeria reported that TSA has saved N10 Trillion. This is worthy of commendation and not condensation.”