By Mercy Aikoye
The House Public Accounts Committee has pledged to ensure strict compliance with budgetary appropriations by government agencies. Led by Chairman Hon. Bamidele Salam, the committee embarked on an oversight mission to Lagos to probe financial infractions by various agencies.
The committee’s mission is to ensure that government agencies comply with budgetary appropriations and provide value for money spent. Chairman Salam emphasized that the committee is not out to witch-hunt but to ensure accountability and transparency in government spending.
During the investigative hearing, the committee scrutinized the Federal Neuro-Psychiatric Hospital Yaba and the Lagos University Teaching Hospital (LUTH) for financial and regulatory infractions.
The hospitals were questioned on issues such as non-remittance of Internally Generated Revenue (IGR), extra-budgetary spendings, and failure to adhere to financial regulations. The committee expressed disappointment with the explanations offered by the hospital officials.
The Federal Neuro-Psychiatric Hospital Yaba was probed on various financial and regulatory infractions, including non-remittance of IGR and extra-budgetary spendings. The hospital’s Chief Medical Director, Dr. Olugbenga Owoeye, was grilled on the issues.
LUTH, represented by its Medical Director, Prof. Lanre Adeyemo, was also questioned on non-remittance of IGR, discrepancy in Remita payments, and extra-budgetary spendings without approval.
The committee requested evidence of approvals, spendings, and adherence to financial regulations from both hospitals. Other agencies scheduled to appear before the committee include NIMASA, Nigerian Shippers Council, Nigerian Ports Authority, and others.
The committee’s oversight mission is expected to continue, with a focus on ensuring accountability and transparency in government spending. Chairman Salam reiterated the committee’s commitment to ensuring that government agencies comply with budgetary appropriations and provide value for money spent.
