Reps Give Accountant-General’s Office Seven Days to Address Contract Irregularities

The House of Representatives Committee on Public Procurement has issued a seven-day ultimatum to the Office of the Accountant General of the Federation (OAGF) to respond to allegations of contract violations spanning the 2023–2025 fiscal years.

During a public hearing in Abuja on Friday, the committee expressed concern over delayed payments to contractors who had completed their projects and uncovered inconsistencies in documents submitted by the OAGF.

Committee Chairman, Rep. Unyime Idem (PDP–Akwa Ibom), said the office received ₦337.5 million as capital allocation in 2023 but awarded eight contracts totaling ₦678 million—exceeding the approved budget by about ₦340.5 million.

Idem cited several questionable contracts, including ₦59.125 million for personnel training on the Federal Government Treasury Portal awarded to Simplify International Synergy Ltd without an official award letter. Others include ₦214.5 million for IPPIS data cleaning by Hatfield Global Resources Ltd, ₦20.1 million for IPPIS roof renovation by Endee Construction Ltd, and ₦56.7 million for elevator refurbishment at the Treasury House by Doysol Synergy Nigeria Ltd—all allegedly lacking proper approvals in violation of Section 19(d) of the Public Procurement Act (PPA) 2007.

He also questioned the award of ₦110.9 million and ₦35 million contracts to Kojo Motors Ltd for vehicle supplies, which he said contravened Sections 31(a) and (b) of the PPA 2007.

Idem further demanded clarification on ₦978.6 million spent on insurance coverage for OAGF assets and vehicles, seeking details on the procurement process and commission determination.

In his response, Accountant-General Shamsudeen Ogunjimi, who assumed office in March, asked for additional time to provide detailed explanations. He attributed the delay to the redeployment of key directors involved in the transactions.

Ogunjimi admitted that some contracts were awarded without budgetary backing, violating procurement regulations. He assured the committee that the office was working to resolve all outstanding payments to contractors who had fulfilled their obligations.