The Committee said the Auditor-General’s report is not an indictment of any ministry, department or agencies but rather a wake up call. Photo: Radio Nigeria archive

The Senate has Instructed the Nigerian Custom Service to refund the sum of over N62, Billion to the Federation Account.

This followed queries by the Office of the Auditor General of the Federation alleging financial leakages by two federal government revenue-generating agencies, the Nigerian Customs Service (NCS) and the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA).

At a meeting in Abuja,The Senate Committee on Public Accounts led by Senator Ahmed Wadada gave the NCS team led by Deputy Comptroller General of Customs, in charge of Finance, Admin and Technical Services, Mr F.O. Okun,

Two weeks to come and provide evidence of remittance to the Federation Account.

The Chairman of the Committee Senator Ahmed Wadada expressed disappointment that for seven years, the Service has not made any reconciliation since the report was signed.

According to him, “the NCS is one of the most reliable sources of revenue. If we continue to have this loophole, we shall forever continue to have leakages. If this continues, the government will continue to lose revenue and borrowing will continue to service the budget and the deficit will have no end.”

Similarly, the Committee also accused the management of the Nigerian Ports Authority of failure to account for over indebtedness of the terminal operators and $68m outstanding Estate Rent and Shipping Dues.

Senator Wadada expressed dissatisfaction that the management of NPA is treating its summon with levity and gave it 48 hours to appear before it.

“This Committee relies partly and not wholly on the Auditor General for the Federation’s Audit report to discharge its responsibilities. Beyond, the Committee as well goes on a status inquiry where it writes Ministries, Departments and Agencies whenever it wants to know the status of these agencies whether those agencies and departments are in question.

“And the Committee based on its commitment to the development and growth of Nigeria is not out to witch-hunt anybody, or want to take anybody to the cleaners.

“We will communicate to them to appear before the Committee in the next 48 hours to appear before this Committee or otherwise we will use all the instruments within the law to call them to order. Nobody should be allowed to disrespect the institution of the National Assembly.” (Radio Nigeria)