Reps Threaten To Block Accounts Of MDAs Over Incorrect Remittances

…Say Cement Manufacturers Using Court Injunction To Delay Price Hike Probe

CHIGOZIE AMADI

ABUJA – The House of Representatives Commit­tee on Finance on Monday issued a warn­ing that it may instruct the Accountant General of the Federation to block the ac­counts of Federal Government agencies that do not provide accurate reports of their revenue profiles to the government.

Musa Jemaku, the Director of Fi­nance and Accounts at the Financial Re­porting Council of Nigeria, has refuted claims made by the Office of the Accoun­tant General of the Federation. The Ac­countant General’s office had alleged that the Council failed to remit its operating surplus for the years 2019 to 2021.

Jemaku’s anger was fueled by an al­legation from an unidentified represen­tative of the Office of the Accountant General. The claim stated that the FRC had failed to remit its operating surpluses to the federation’s coffers for the years 2019 (N126 mil­lion), 2020 (N143 million), and 2021 (N26 million). ­

At the resumed revenue moni­toring exercise of the committee, the Vice Chairman, Saidu Abdul­lahi, who represents Bida/Gba­ko/Katcha Federal Constituency, expressed his displeasure at some agencies’ deliberate failure to ap­pear before the committee despite being invited.

He noted that out of the eight agencies invited to appear before the committee on Monday, only two, the Financial Reporting Council of Nigeria and the Na­tional Health Insurance Author­ity, attended.

The lawmaker stated that while two entities requested another date, the Lagos Interna­tional Trade Fair Complex, the National Broadcasting Commis­sion, the National Examination Council, and the National Inland Waterways Authority neither at­tended the meeting nor provided reasons for their absence.

He stated, “We anticipated that eight agencies would appear be­fore the committee today (Mon­day). However, only two agencies attended. Additionally, two other agencies requested a rescheduled date, which was granted.”

However, four others decided to abscond. “I used this same word last year, which did not sit well with some of the agencies. They have chosen to shirk their duties on a very important as­signment. If members can turn out in large numbers for this assignment, there is no reason any agency should decide not to appear before the committee.

“We would like to formally state our intention to have the following agencies appear before the committee: the Lagos Inter­national Trade Fair Complex, the National Broadcasting Commis­sion, the National Examination Council, and the National Inland Waterways Authority.

“We expect them to appear be­fore this committee by tomorrow, Tuesday. Should they fail to do so, we may be compelled to take appropriate action, including po­tentially requesting the Office of the Accountant General to block their accounts.

“We will not tolerate any agency failing in this crucial task. Collecting revenue is vital for our country, and any inability to do so poses a significant problem.”

Jemaku, who stated that the agency paid approximately N800 million to the government in 2024, also disputed the Attorney Gener­al of the Federation’s (AGF) claim that only about N602 million has been deposited into the govern­ment’s account.

He clarified that an official circular from the Minister of Fi­nance’s office mandates the exe­cution of the Finance Act 2020. Additionally, he mentioned that this circular streamlines the pro­cess for the automatic deduction of 50 percent.

Cement Manufacturers Using Court Injunction To Delay Price Hike Probe –Reps

Meanwhile, the Joint Commit­tees of the House of Representa­tives investigating the ‘arbitrary increases in the prices of cement’ has accused cement manufac­turers of hiding under a court injunction to scuttle the ongoing probe by the committee.

Chairman of the committee, who is also the Chairman, House Committee on Solid Minerals, Rep. Jonathan Gaza Gefbwi, stat­ed this at the resumed sitting of the committee on Monday.

He noted that the cement manufacturers had refused to honour their invitation for the second time.

Rep. Gefbwi warned that they should desist from using frivolous court injunction to interfere or halt the ongoing investigation by the House.

The committee chairman disclosed that the Committee on Solid Minerals had received a let­ter from Tunji Abayomi and Co, the representatives of the Nige­ria Employees Consultative As­sociation (NECA), who claimed representation for all witnesses summoned.

He said, the letter referred to the court ruling of the Fed­eral High Court FHC/ABJ/ CS/458/2012 which is being re­viewed by the Supreme Court under SC/458/2017.

He said, “I want to first under­line that these rulings are about a separate hearing conducted in the 9th Assembly by the House Committee on Labour and Pro­ductivity and House Committee on Interior.

“It is the preceding ruling of the Supreme Court. It is equally to address the flagrant misuse of the judiciary to delay, interrupt or interfere with the legislative process”.

According to him, the manu­facturers’ refusal to appear before the committee is an affront to the powers of the National Assembly as enshrined in Section 88 of the 1999 constitution (as amended) and Sections 4 and 7 of the Leg­islative Houses Powers and Priv­ileges Act.