By Emmanuella Oghenetega
The Speaker House of Representatives, Tajudeen Abbas, has inaugurated the Ad Hoc Committee on the Expenditure of all Intervention Funds on Security.
The inauguration which took place today at the National Assembly, was set to ensure accountability and transparency.
Speaking, the Speaker House of Reps represented by the deputy Chief Whip, Dr. Ibrahim Isiaka stated that the Committee has been tasked with the critical responsibility of scrutinising expenditure of all Intervention funds dedicated to Nigeria security architecture.
He stated that “Today, we will reaffirm the confidence of the house to the meticulous stewardship of public resources.”
He asserted that the creation of the committee reflects our physical discipline to the matters of national security.
“We recognise that security sector operates under intense public scrutiny and it is upon us to ensure that every naira spent yields tangible, observable progress in safeguarding lives and properties across our nation.”
He therefore commended the chairman of the committee for stepping forward to lead with integrity. He expressed confidence in the selected members of the committee to identify gaps and urged them to uphold the core values.
Speaking earlier, the chairman of the ad-hoc committee, Zakaria Dauda Nyampa, stated that over the years, the Federal Government made substantial budgetary allocations and released multiple intervention funds aimed at addressing Nigeria’s complex security challenges – from insurgency in the North East banditry and kidnapping in the North West, to militancy, piracy, and separatist threats in other regions.
He said, that while these funds were designed to strengthen operational readiness, improve intelligence capacity, and equip our security agencies, persistent
insecurity across the country has raised fundamental questions about the
efficiency, transparency, and impact of such expenditures.
“It is within this context that the House, exercising its powers under Sections
88 and 89 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (1999 as amended), resolved to constitute this Ad Hoc Committee to investigate the disbursement, management, and utlisation of all security intervention funds released to Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs) from 2020 to date.
He stated that some of the responsibilities of the committee would include; ldentifying the total funds disbursed under various intervention heads and special allocations;
Examining how these funds were utilized by the beneficiary agencies: Reviewing procurement processes and due procesS Compliance; Assessing outcomes and the actual impact of such interventions on the security situation across the country.
He asserted that the assignment must be pursued with objectivity, diligence, patriotism, and integrity.
“It is not a witch-hunt. Rather, it is an effort to ensure that every naira allocated for national security achieves its intended purpose the protection of the Nigerian people.
He stated that the Committee will work in close collaboration with relevant agencies
including the Ministry of Finance, Budget Office, Office of the Accountant General of the Federation, Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA), the Ministry of Defence, Nigeria Police Force, and other security formations.
“We shall also engage the Auditor-General for the Federation, the EFCC. ICPC, and relevant civil society organisations such as BudglT, CISLAC, and SERAP, to promote openness and credibility in our process.
Transparency is the backbone of good governance, and we intend to uphold it throughout this investigation.
