Audit reveals N747.7 million authorities automobiles illegally retained by ex-staff in 5 MDAs 

A brand new report by the Auditor-Normal of the Federation has unveiled the unlawful retention of presidency automobiles price N747.75 million by former workers of 5 ministries, departments, and businesses (MDAs).

The findings, detailed within the Auditor-Normal’s Annual Report on Non-Compliance and Inside Management Weaknesses, spotlight lapses in asset administration and management between 2020 and 2021.

The report sheds gentle on systemic failures in implementing insurance policies aimed toward stopping the unauthorized retention of presidency belongings by departing personnel.

Key observations from the audit 

• The audit disclosed that authorities automobiles price N747.75 million have been illegally retained by ex-staff and unauthorized individuals throughout 5 MDAs.
• The 5 MDAs talked about within the report are Nigerian Safety Printing and Minting Firm Plc. (NSPM), Abuja; Public Grievance Fee, Abuja; Federal Ministry of Labour and Employment, Abuja; Nigeria Immigration Service; and Federal School of Schooling, Okene, Kogi State.
• The NSPM Abuja accounted for the biggest portion of the mismanaged automobiles, with an estimated worth of N413.34 million. In the meantime, the Federal School of Schooling, Okene, Kogi State, recorded the least quantity of illegally retained automobiles, valued at N24.51 million.

The audit report learn, “The sum of N747,749,365.06 (Seven hundred and forty-seven million, seven hundred and forty-nine thousand, 300 and sixty-five naira, six kobo) was the variety of authorities automobiles held illegally by former workers/unauthorized individuals in 5 (5) Ministries, Departments, and Businesses (MDAs). 

“The Nigerian Safety Printing and Minting Firm Plc. (NSPM), Abuja, has the best quantity of N413,343,623.00 (4 hundred and 13 million, 300 and forty-three thousand, 600 and twenty-three naira), whereas the Federal School of Schooling, Okene, Kogi State, has the least quantity of N24,507,000.00 (Twenty-four million, 5 hundred and 7 thousand naira).” 

These findings elevate essential questions concerning the enforcement of asset clearance protocols and the tasks of accounting officers in guaranteeing compliance.

The report additional highlights the pressing want for improved oversight mechanisms to safeguard public belongings.

What you need to know 

• In accordance with the report, the Institution Round Ref. No. SGF.19/S.52/V/720 dated February 20, 2017, explicitly requires all retiring officers to submit all authorities properties of their custody earlier than remaining disengagement from service.
• This directive, which applies to officers, everlasting secretaries, and chief executives of MDAs, underscores the necessity for stringent clearance protocols.
• The report additionally cited Paragraph 112(i) of the Monetary Laws (FR), 2009, which duties accounting officers with guaranteeing the security and correct upkeep of all authorities belongings underneath their care.
• Paragraph 2001 additional mandates accounting officers to determine efficient controls over using authorities automobiles. Regardless of these pointers, the audit revealed vital breaches.
• The unauthorized retention of presidency automobiles represents not solely a major monetary loss but additionally a breach of belief within the public sector.

President Bola Tinubu just lately restricted Ministers, Ministers of State, and Heads of Businesses of the Federal Authorities to a most of three automobiles of their official convoys.