The MDAs have repeatedly failed to look earlier than the Senate Public Accounts Committee to answer queries raised within the Auditor Common’s report.

The Senate has threatened to chop down 2023 budgetary allocation of over 100 Ministry, Departments and Businesses (MDAs) within the nation.

The risk is predicated on the grounds that heads of the MDAs have repeatedly failed to look earlier than the Senate Public Accounts Committee to answer queries raised within the Auditor Common’s report.

Within the report, from 2015 until date, the Auditor Common indicted some MDAs for queries like frivolous spendings, misappropriation of funds, lack of ability to account for cash spent, fee if salaries to lifeless or retired employees, amongst others.

A number of the affected MDAs embrace Ministries of Inside, Finance, Well being Info, International Affairs, Ladies Affairs, Communications and Particular Duties.

Others are the Nigerian Military, Nigerian Police, State Home, AMCON, NHIS, NEDC, INEC, Debt Administration Workplace, NEMA, NAFDAC, Nationwide Human Rights Fee, Ministry of Works and Housing, amongst others.

The Senate’s risk was sequel to a Level of Order raised by Matthew Urhoghide, chairman of the general public accounts committee.

The lawmaker, beneath Orders 42 and 95 complained that the indicted MDAs have repeatedly ignored letters of invitation and summons despatched out by the committee. He mentioned they’ve failed to answer queries raised by the Auditor Common.

He reminded his colleagues that they’re empowered by the Structure and their Standing Orders to summon the indicted MDAs by way of arrest warrants or demand from the Senate President. He due to this fact prayed that they train their energy.

In his response, the Senate President, Ahmad Lawan, mentioned any public officer who accepts to serve and use public funds, should be ready to account for the funds. And anybody who feels he’s above the regulation, ought to stop.

He learn out the names of the MDAs, over 100 of them, and gave them one week to succeed in out to the general public accounts committee and repair a date for listening to.

“If any of them fail to take action, with no communication or verifiable cause, we are going to slash their 2023 funds,” he added.

Extra particulars later…