Financial regulation non-compliance: Senate moves to sanction MDAs

The Senate has issued a warning to Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs) that they will face sanctions if they continue to ignore financial regulations outlined by the Auditor General.

This statement was made by Senator Garba Madoki, Chair of the Senate Committee on Legislative Compliance, at a workshop on legislative oversight hosted by the National Institute for Legislative and Democratic Studies (NILDS) and Konrad Adenauer Stiftung (KAS).

Madoki expressed frustration over the ongoing failure of MDA heads to attend Senate summons and cautioned that the Senate would no longer tolerate disregard for its resolutions.

He stated, “We will enforce strict penalties on any agency head who disregards Senate directives,” stressing the need for swift compliance with the Auditor General’s recommendations.

The recent Auditor General’s report highlighted substantial financial irregularities within MDAs, with misuse of funds totalling ₦105.66 billion and ₦18.36 billion in contracts awarded in violation of the Public Procurement Act.

Representing Senate President Godswill Akpabio, Deputy Senate President Jibrin Barau emphasized that legislative compliance is critical to governance and essential for meeting Nigerians’ aspirations.

“Our duty includes holding MDAs accountable to build public trust and advance national development,” he noted.

Mr. Kamoru Ogunlana, Acting Clerk of the National Assembly, stated that adherence to legislative resolutions is crucial to strengthening public confidence in government and fostering sustainable development. “Our laws mean nothing if compliance is lacking,” he said.

Professor Abubakar Sulaiman, Director General of NILDS, pointed to challenges such as weak enforcement, bureaucratic delays, and inadequate political support, warning that these issues could undermine public trust in government accountability.

As the Senate Committee on Public Accounts reviews the Auditor General’s findings, Madoki reiterated the Senate’s commitment to enforcing accountability within public institutions, signalling that sanctions would be imposed as necessary.