Saraki, Dakuku Face Lawmakers Today Over NIMASA’s Unaudited Accounts for Six Years

Minister of State for Transportation, Dr. Gbemi Saraki and the Director General, Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), Dakuku Peterside are expected to appear before the Chairman,House of Representatives Committee on Public Accounts today in Abuja.

Rep. Wole Oke, who made the announcement during an investigative public hearing into the presentation of audit reports, said the agency should state its failure to submit its audited accounts to the Office of the Auditor-General of the Federation.

Oke said: “NIMASA has refused to cause appearance for six years and should appear unfailingly on Feb. 25, with the Minister of State for Transport and the Permanent Secretary.”

The lawmaker warned the agency’s management that the house would be forced to apply appropriate sanctions according to the law, in case the Agency plays a ‘hide and seek’ stressing that the invitation would be the last.

Also, the committee chair directed that the committee interface with the Secretary-General of the Federation (SGF) to ensure the release of the audited accounts of Pension Commission (PENCOM) from 2014 to 2018.

“I saw that you have audited accounts but the issue now is that of rendition.

“We also need to engage the SGF on this; it is very big lacuna. Mr Clerk, please put it that the committee is to interface with the SGF and the management of PENCOM on this matter but for now, all accounts be remitted to the Auditor-General without further delay.”