Reps uncover ‘bogus, reckless spending’ by Auditor General’s office

He observed that some financial reports in the documents were not accompanied by vouchers…

Reps uncover ‘bogus, reckless spending’ by Auditor General’s office

House of Representatives

The House of Representatives Committee on Public Accounts has alleged that the Office of the Auditor General of the Federation (OAuGF) has been engaging in frivolous and reckless spending.

According to the chairman of the committee, Wole Oke (PDP, Osun), who led other members on an oversight visit to the office, said the expenditures were contained in the 2019 and 2020 budgets of the Auditor General’s office.

He observed that some financial reports in the documents were not accompanied by vouchers and other supporting documents.

The lawmakers queried a N1.9 million reportedly spent on a new clinic and another N3.967 million spent on drugs and medical supplies as well as N7.721 million spent on medical consultancy services despite paying N55.933 million as NHIS contribution as shown in the 2020 financial statement with another N87.870 million paid as NHIS contribution in 2019.

The committee also questioned the increase in the staff nominal roll of the office from N1.977 billion personnel cost in 2019 to N1.991 billion in 2020 despite the depleting workforce.

The lawmakers also frowned on several millions spent on local and international travels without accompanying documents.