In a decisive move against persistent defiance by Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs) of the Federal Government, the Senate has announced a tough crackdown on institutions that continue to ignore legislative summons, warning of immediate sanctions and sweeping repercussions.

Chairman of the Senate Committee on Public Procurement, Senator Olajide Ipinshagba, issued the warning on Thursday in Abuja, expressing strong disapproval over the widespread non-compliance by several government bodies with legislative oversight duties.

He accused numerous MDAs of deliberately undermining the authority of the National Assembly by failing to honour invitations to appear before the Committee or submit critical procurement documents.

?This level of impunity will no longer be tolerated,? Ipinshagba declared. ?Our Committee is not a ceremonial body?it is a constitutional watchdog mandated to safeguard public resources and ensure transparency in the use of taxpayers? money.?

The visibly displeased senator revealed that the Committee, in collaboration with the Bureau of Public Procurement (BPP), has directed an immediate suspension of all procurement activities in non-compliant agencies.

?Any agency that continues to flout our summons will have its procurement processes frozen. We have instructed the BPP to act without delay. If you cannot account for public funds, you have no business spending a kobo more,? he said.

Ipinshagba stressed that the Senate would fully exercise its legal powers to enforce compliance, including disciplinary action and further sanctions against heads of defaulting institutions.

?Good governance cannot thrive in an atmosphere of impunity and defiance. Public officials must understand that accountability is not optional?it is the cornerstone of democracy,? he asserted.

The senator urged MDAs to take the Committee?s warning seriously, emphasizing that transparency and cooperation are not just legal requirements but civic responsibilities owed to the Nigerian people.

?We will no longer tolerate this culture of arrogance. The era of disregarding legislative oversight is over.? (The Guardian)

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