In continuation of the consideration of the audit reports on Financial records of Ministries, Department and Agencies by the State House of Assembly Committee on Public Accounts and Anti-corruption, the Committee has requested the State Ministry of Education, Science and Technology to submit all documents relating to costlines, especially those indicating the total number of candidates registered for WASSCE in public schools between 2015 and 2019.
The Chairman of the Committee, Hon. Musefiu Lamidi issued the directive while playing host to the Ministry during the consideration of 2015-2019 Auditor General’s reports on its activities shortly after the presentation of the Ministry’s financial records for the period under consideration by the Permanent Secretary, Mrs. Abosede Ogunleye at the Assembly Complex, Oke-Mosan, Abeokuta.
Musefiu in company of his Deputy, Abdul Bashir Oladunjoye, Honourables Ganiyu Oyedeji, Abayomi Fasuwa, Sikiratu Ajibola, Adeyemi Ademuyiwa, Olusola Adams and Kunle Sobunkanla directed the Ministry to avail the Committee with supporting documents including cash inflows and outflows with explanatory documents on the budget heads including special assignments and education programmes amongst others which were expected to be submitted within one week.
The Committee Chairman disclosed that some infractions were noticed in the Ministry’s financial records as stated in the audit report by the Auditor -General for the years under review to include non functional internal audit unit, poor keeping of DVEA book, poor maintenance of fixed assets register, improper preparation of payment vouchers and irregularities in procurement procedures amongst others.
Responding, Mrs. Ogunleye assured that all relevant documents and information would be provided in line with the request of the House Committee, noting that some of the issues raised were being addressed by the Ministry.
In the same vein, the Committee also considered the audit reports of the State Planning and Development Permit Authority between 2015 and 2019, with a charge on them to further uphold the principles of accountability, transparency and prudence.
Considering the audit reports of the agency, the Chairman also reeled out infractions committed to include poor maintenance of fixed assets register, ineffective store management, unsatisfactory retirement of payment vouchers and misclassification of budget sub-heads amongst others.
Consequently, the House Committee called for the immediate submission of documents to provide explanations on budget sub-heads including Fixed General and Licenses General (components) as well as details and locations of masts across the State approved for erection between 2015 and 2019.
