Reps Issue Ultimatum to NIGCOMSAT, NUPRE, and Other Agencies over N20.853bn Audit Query

The leadership of six government agencies has been ordered to appear before the House of Representatives Public Accounts Committee (PAC) within 72 hours to answer a N20.853 billion audit query.

The agencies are Nigeria Communications Satellite Ltd. (NIGCOMSAT), Nigeria Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRE), Nigeria Export Processing Zones Authority (NEPZA), Rural Electrification Agency (REA), Nigeria Export Promotion Council (NEPC), and the Federal University of Petroleum Studies in Effurum, Delta State.

The audit query was issued by the Office of the Auditor-General of the Federation, which raised concerns about cash advances and budget allocations for these agencies.

The PAC, chaired by Rep. Bamidele Salam, said that the agencies failed to show up at a previous hearing and warned that they could face arrest warrants if they did not comply with the invitation.

Salam stated, “We are going to use our constitutional power to ensure that every kobo spent by Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs) is prudently utilised.”