House Summons Accountant General over N82bn Revenue Shortfall

The House of Representatives Committee on Public Accounts has summoned the Accountant General of the Federation, Mr. Jonah Otunla, over an alleged N81.9 billion revenue shortfall in the 2006 Appropriation Act.

It has also summoned the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Senator Anyim Pius Anyim, and the Permanent Secretary in charge of Ecological Fund in the Presidency.

Also summoned is the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Environment and the Director of Finance in the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation. The quartet are to assist the Public Accounts Committee in its investigation into the management of the Ecological Fund in the last ten years.

Chairman, House Committee on Public Accounts, Hon. Solomon Adeola, disclosed this at the weekend, in a chat with journalists. The Accountant- General, Adeola said, is expected to offer explanations on the shortfall in the revenue that accrued to the Federation Account in 2006. He is to appear unfailingly, alongside all the concerned revenue collecting agencies in respect of all pending issues in the 2006 budget.

The Accountant-General is also to ensure that all the agencies appearing alongside him provide all the necessary documents that will unravel the mystery surrounding the revenue shortfall.

The probe of the Ecological Fund, Adoela said, followed complaints in the Auditor-General’s report of non-specific reflection of special funds in the Financial Statements of the Federation Account.

Otunla has, therefore, been directed to furnish the committee with detailed documentation in relation to the share of the Derivation, Ecological Fund, Stabilisation Account and three per cent Development of Natural Resources Fund from 2003 to date.

Adeola said the information, should state clearly the monthly receipts, sources, disbursement made therefrom, list of beneficiaries, and available balance.
He said the committee was also interested in seeing a copy of the Presidential Modification Order that conferred the powers on the President to manage the Stabilisation Account