Reps probe NIMASA for failing to audit accounts for six years

The House of Representatives Committee on Public Accounts on Thursday resolved to probe the activities of the Nigeria Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) over its failure to submit its audited accounts to the Auditor General of the Federation from 2014 till date.

The committee is currently reviewing claims of alleged deliberate and reckless refusal by non-Treasury Funded MDAs to render audited accounts to the Office of the Auditor General of the Federation.

The committee’s move followed the failure of the agency’s Director-General, Dakuku Peterside, who appeared before the panel, to explain why the accounts of the key revenue-generating agency, were not audited for those years.

Recall that the Committee had last week orderedPeterside, to appear before it within 48 hours with evidence of audited accounts in the last four years, or face a warrant of arrest.

The committee had last week, dismissed explanations of a Director who represented the DG.

The irector had told the panel, that the audited reports for the period under review were ready, but yet to be approved by the Board of the agency, but the lawmakers rejected his submission, describing it, as an afterthought.

When Peterside appeared before the committee on Thursday, he reiterated that that the audit was awaiting the agency’s Board approval. 

He said that he met accumulated unaudited Accounts of the agency, when he resumed as the DG but had started clearing the backlogs of unaudited accounts.

The committee was unimpressed by Peterside’s submission, and consequently resolved to probe the agency and place it on status enquiry, for comprehensive auditing, to ascertain its financial status.