ReportsNG
Like a trail of figures left behind in the records of government expenditure, the latest review by ReportsNG on MDAs’ financial activities has exposed financial irregularities running into more than ₦1.2 billion across seven federal institutions.
At the Nigeria Geological Survey Agency, Abuja, ₦248,245,826.25 was identified in financial irregularities.
It was found that the sum was paid for contracts carrying only a conditional advance payment guarantee rather than the unconditional guarantee required under the Public Procurement Act 2007 to adequately protect public funds against contractor default.
Furthermore, it was found that some motor vehicles were not presented for physical verification. The failure to present the vehicles for verification contravenes the relevant provisions of the Financial Regulations 2009, which require government assets to be properly accounted for and made available for verification.
Similarly, the National Commission for Refugees, Migrants and Internally Displaced Persons, Abuja, recorded ₦77,156,017.58 in three separate findings.
₦37,587,067.58 was identified in an irregular payment for monitoring and evaluation of projects, while ₦21,312,950.00 involved undue financial interference by the supervising ministry.
Additionally, ₦18,256,000.00 was found to have been paid in violation of the Federal Government’s e-payment policy, which requires government disbursements to be processed through approved electronic payment channels.
The 2023 financial year under review fell within a leadership transition at the Commission, with Hon. Imaan Sulaiman-Ibrahim serving as Federal Commissioner until President Bola Tinubu appointed Aliyu Tijani Ahmed to the position in September 2023.
Moreso, the Nigeria Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (NEITI), Abuja, recorded ₦116,864,538.66 in financial irregularities.
It was found that ₦95,108,377.15 was in extra-budgetary expenditure. Such expenditure is contrary to the financial control requirements under the Financial Regulations 2009, which require public expenditure to be properly authorised and backed by the appropriate budgetary provision.
Furthermore, ₦11,797,791.76 was identified in contracts that were split to circumvent approval thresholds. The practice contravenes the Public Procurement Act 2007, which prohibits the artificial splitting of procurement to evade applicable procurement and approval requirements.
In addition, ₦9,958,369.75 was identified in an unsubstantiated retreat, while a separate finding was also recorded over non-compliance with the Federal Character requirement in staffing.
The Nigerian Institute of Social and Economic Research, Ibadan, recorded findings from two separate reviews amounting to ₦538,408,266.01. An earlier-period review identified ₦391,480,197.01 in irregularities, including ₦146,479,420.97 in one finding and ₦103,898,461.22 in another.
Furthermore, a separate review covering the 2023 financial year identified another ₦146,928,069.00 in irregularities, including ₦67,617,552.00 and ₦43,644,567.00 in two additional findings.
Additionally, the National Orthopaedic Hospital, Igbobi, Lagos, recorded ₦107,072,328.61 in financial irregularities. The review found that ₦65,310,968.34 was misapplied, while ₦22,087,167.13 involved irregular payment for a contract and another ₦19,674,193.14 was tied to further contract irregularities.
The misapplication of funds contravenes the relevant provisions of the Financial Regulations 2009, which require public funds to be applied for authorised purposes, while the contract-related irregularities fall under the procurement requirements of the Public Procurement Act 2007.
Furthermore, the Federal College of Freshwater Fisheries Technology, Baga, recorded ₦117,038,308.64 in financial irregularities. The review found ₦85,714,097.01 in misapplied funds, which contravenes the financial control requirements under the Financial Regulations 2009 governing the authorised use of public funds.
Additionally, ₦24,366,511.63 involved an irregular contract payment, bringing the finding within the provisions of the Public Procurement Act 2007 governing public procurement and contract payments.
The review also identified ₦4,640,700.00 in cash advances that exceeded approved limits, contrary to the provisions of the Financial Regulations 2009 governing advances to public officers.
Another ₦2,317,000.00 was found without relevant supporting documents, contrary to the financial documentation and accountability requirements under the Financial Regulations 2009.
Finally, the Federal College of Land Resources Technology, Owerri, recorded ₦15,602,572.50 in financial irregularities. The sum comprised ₦8,592,500.00 in irregular contract payment, ₦3,584,000.00 in misapplied funds and ₦3,426,072.50 in another contract-related irregularity.
The irregular contract payments contravene the relevant procurement requirements under the Public Procurement Act 2007, while the ₦3,584,000.00 misapplied funds contravene the applicable provisions of the Financial Regulations 2009 governing the use of public funds.
