Akwa Ibom Assembly ratifies controversial 2019 financial/audited accounts
Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly, on Tuesday, ratified the controversial 2019 Financial Report/Audited Accounts of the state government.
In October 2020, an investigative report had revealed multi billion naira extra-budgetary expenditures, among other controversial, spendings by the office of the governor and secretary to the state government.
But the government, through the Commissioner for Economic Development and Ibom Deep Seaport, Mr Akan Okon, refuted the report shortly after its publication. The report was described as false and faulty.
Mr Okon had, while briefing journalists on the issue, said that an earlier audited report from the state auditor general’s office, for which the investigative report was based, was found to have contained erroneous data inputs which were officially withdrawn via a circular dated September 2, 2020, to all ministries, departments and agencies of government.
Following heightened tension in the state as a result of the report, the Speaker of the state house of assembly, Aniekan Bassey, announced at Plenary on Tuesday, December 8, 2020, the constitution of an Ad-hoc Committee to investigate issues surrounding the withdrawal of the statement and accounts by the Office of the state Accountant General.
Chairman of the Adhoc Committee, Udo Kieran Akpan, while presenting the Committee’s report on Tuesday, cited alleged expenditure of N4.864 billion on Toyota Prado Jeeps and expenditure of N5.04 billion on maintenance of the state Aircraft by the Office of the Secretary to the State Government etc, as some of the issues investigated.
Udo Kierian Akpan confirmed that the Office of the Accountant General had, after it noticed errors in the account already published by the office, withdrew same and released a new version.
He said the alarm raised by the people of the state on the issues investigated was in good faith and intended to hold the government accountable.
The Lawmaker noted that the Accountant General’s Office acted appropriately by noticing and correcting the errors, but however warned that errors of such nature should not be allowed to occur a second time.
He said the audited accounts of the state government as passed by the House of Assembly on 4th June 2020 remains valid.
Speaker Aniekan Bassey further directed the Clerk of House, Mrs Mandu Umoren, to communicate the lawmakers resolution to the appropriate quarters.
In the meantime, a bill for a law to provide for the Preservation, Protection and Restoration of Historical Properties and Cultural Heritage Sites in the State has been passed into Law.
Kufre Edidem, (Itu State Constituency) whose committee on Industry, Commerce and Tourism worked on the bill before its passage, said the law, among other benefits, would assist in preserving and maintaining tourism, historical sites and their facilities in the state, as well as enhance economic growth of Akwa Ibom and create employment for the people.
Also at plenary, a bill for a law to establish the Akwa Ibom State Health Insurance Agency, passed through the second reading.
The Bill, sponsored by the member representing Abak State Constituency, Udeme Otong, seeks to improve and harness private sector participation in the provision of healthcare services in the state.
The bill was further committed to the Committee on Health for in depth study and scrutiny.
Similarly, a bill for the establishment of Akwa Ibom State Agricultural Input Supply Authority and Connected Matters was read the first time, and directed to the Committee on Rules, Ethics and Public Privileges for rescheduling.
The House has adjourned plenary to Tuesday, March 2nd, 2021.
