The House of Representatives on Tuesday frowned at the failure of the Tertiary Education Trust Fund to remit its accounts to the Auditor General of the Federation as at when due from 2014 to 2018 in accordance with the provisions of 1999 Constitution (as amended).
The House Committee on Public Accounts, led by its Chairman, Hon. Oluwole Oke (PDP-Osun), expressed this when the Director of Finance and Administration of the Fund, Amoo Oladipupo Idris, appeared before Committee.
Idris represented the Executive Secretary of the Agency, Prof. Sulaimon Bogoro, at the ongoing investigative hearing on audit queries by the Auditor-General of Federation on Ministries, Departments and Agencies of the Federal Government
Oke, who described it as gross irresponsibility and violation of the the Government financial rules and regulations, said that 2019 and 2020 could be excused because of the COVID-19 pandemic, but it was inexcusable that they should default for other years.
According to him: “If you say because of COVID you say you could not render account last year, it can be considered.
“But what would be your reason for not rendering other accounts, 2014 to 2018, as at when due?”
The House complained the level of negligence was too high and expressed concern and the activities of the Fund has a direct bearing on the future of the country, which is education.
The Committee also resolved to investigate the activities of the Fund in relation to its nominal rolls, grants, revenue collections, disbursement of funds to beneficiaries Institutions and others
The Committee before stepping down the Agency’s matter urged its management to come before it in two weeks time with some relevant documents ton the submission already laid before it.
Before its adjournment to the next legislative day, the Committee also grilled the management of the Federal Roads Maintenance Agency over the Audit queries raised against it and resolved it would along with stakeholders, including Civil Society Organizations and the Media, to embark on projects inspection to some of the roads projects claimed to have been executed.
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