PAC Adhoc Committee Inaugurated To Develop Innovative Strategies
The Chairman, House of Representatives Public Accounts Committee (PAC), Rep. Bamidele Salam has on Tuesday inaugurated Adhoc Committee members of the National Association of Public Accounts Committees (NAPAC) to work with States level counterpart to revitalise, strengthen, ensure Probity and accountability.
Rep. Bamidele Salam stated this in his address at the joint sitting of the Public Accounts Committees of the Senate and the House of Representatives and inauguration of an Adhoc Committee on Tuesday.
He said the meeting comes at a critical time in Nigeria’s history, when the need for transparency, accountability, and good governance has never been more pressing.
Rep Salam also informed that the meeting was, to midwife innovative approaches to addressing the perennial challenges of corruption, transparency, and accountability that have plagued our nation for decades.
According to him, this would be achieved in collaborations with anti-corruption agencies, civil society organizations, and the media.
He affirmed that the Association is a pivotal platform for promoting transparency and accountability in governance, noting that in recent times, the Association’s activities have been dormant, necessitating the need for a quick revitalization.
“It is in this context that we are inaugurating this Ad-hoc Committee, tasked with the vital responsibility of reconvening the meeting of NAPAC.
“Firstly, to revive NAPAC and restore its vibrancy, ensuring that it plays its rightful role in promoting good governance and accountability across Nigeria.
“Through NAPAC, we would be able to leverage our networks and memberships in continental and regional sister Associations like the African Organization of Public Accounts (AFROPAC), West African Association of Public Accounts (WAPAC), Southern African Development Community of Public Accounts Committees (SADCOPAC), and several others for study exchanges, capacity-building, and experience sharing opportunities.
“I enjoin us to work tirelessly to revitalize NAPAC, promote transparency and accountability, and enthrone good governance in Nigeria. The task ahead is daunting, but with collective effort, unwavering commitment, and an unshakeable faith in our nation’s potential, I am confident that we shall succeed” he stressed.
Rep. Salam therefore promised to engage more with the offices of the Auditor General of the Federation and the Accountant General of the Federation to address the delays in presenting their reports on MDAs before the PAC.
The Lawmaker said, addressing the issue will help speed up the work of the Committee in its Constitutional responsibility of scrutinizing the various infractions being committed by MDAs.
“Of course, Nigerians should expect that we’re going to have more productivity, especially in consideration of the report of the Auditor General.
“It will interest you to know that, as you speak, it’s only the 2021 report of the Auditor General that we have before the National Assembly, which is not what is envisaged by the Constitution.
“We want to see a situation where we’ll be able to catch up with 2022 and 2023 reports by next year, so that Nigeria will also be at par with some other countries that are already considering the 2023 report of the Auditor General.
“So we’ll have more productivity. We’ll also be able to bring more of these agencies of government in line, whip them in line to ensure that all monies appropriated by the National Assembly are spent judiciously, efficiently, and in a very lawful manner” he pointed.
