Audit queries: Ogun Assembly Committee Invites Two Former Officials of Works Ministry

By Our Correspondent

Ogun State House of Assembly Committee on Public Accounts and Anti-corruption Committee has directed two former officials of the State Ministry of Works and Infrastructure to appear before the lawmakers for further clarifications on the ministry's financial records between 2015 and 2019.  

The Chairman of the Committee, Musefiu Lamidi gave the directive, while examining the Ministry's financial records as presented by the Permanent Secretary, Engr. Lateef Adedimeji in response to the auditor general's report on the Ministry between 2015 and 2019 at the Assembly Complex, Oke-Mosan, Abeokuta, stating that the officials were to appear before the House Committee on Friday 3rd December, 2021 at 10:00am . 

Hon. Lamidi said that the officials are the  former Permanent Secretary, in the Ministry, Engr. Kayode Ademolake and the former Director of Finance and Accounts, Mr. Lasisi Gbagba that served in the period under review were to avail the lawmakers with detailed explanation on some infractions recorded in the audit queries.

According to the Committee, there was a record of irregular award of contracts in the 2019 audit reports, which showed that two projects of N13,500,000: 00 and N14,960,000: 00 contracted to Messrs Kaolat Construction Limited and Engineer Mazoya were approved for and meant to be executed as "direct labour.

According to the Committee Chairman, misapplication of funds was observed by the audit team and recommendations were made to the Ministry on this as the sum of N1,684,000 approved for capital expenditure were expended on recurrent items such as newspaper bills and purchase of office stationaries amongst others.

Also, there was record of non-retirement of expenditures 2019, wherein a sum of N41,241,000: 00 in respect of fifteen (15) Payment Vouchers, which were not retired as and when due  in contravention of the Financial Regulation 603 and the circular from the Office of the Auditor-General that all expenditures were to be duly retired with invoices and cash receipts and other relevant supporting documents as evidence of payment for goods and services.