Auditor-General queries works ministry over N8.4billion budgetary infractions

The Office of the Auditor General of the Federation (AuGF) has accused the Federal Ministry of Works and Housing of budgetary infractions amounting to about N8.4 billion in 2018.

The AuGF, therefore, asked the office of the ministry’s Permanent Secretary to account for N4 billion and recover N2.3 billion paid without budgetary provision. The office is also to justify the utilisation of N2 billion.

The office of the Finance Director of the ministry is to be penalised for approving payments above its limit.

These are contained in the 2018 financial year report by AuGF office sighted yesterday by The Nation in Abuja yesterday. The report showed about 15 audit queries.

In the report by AuGF office, the ministry was accused of awarding contract for the purchase of project monitoring vehicles without following due process.

The ministry was also quizzed for circumventing the procurement process, irregularities in the production and airing of a N210.686 million special documentary video, use of members of staff as contractors without the approval of the Bureau for Public Procurement and making payments without proper revalidation.

The report added that the ministry carried out the rehabilitation of the Kaduna-Zaria Road; the Talabu Bridge along the Tegina/Mokwa, Makera-Tegina Road and the Calabar-Ikom-Ogoja-Katsina-Ala Road without approval.