Reps propose mandatory review, analysis of financial audit of outgoing civilian government

The House of Representatives on Tuesday met with stakeholders on a bill which seeks to ensure mandatory review and analysis of financial audit of all budgetary expenditure of the outgoing civilian government in Nigeria.

 

Speaker Yakubu Dogara, who declared the public hearing held at the instance of the House Committee on Justice open, emphasised the need for the incoming President’s review and analysis of the budgetary expenditures during the tenor of the substantive president.

 

Dogara, who was represented by Femi Gbajiabiamila, Majority Leader, explained that the bill seeks to promote the orderly transfer of power within the executive, with the expiration of the term of office of a President and the inauguration of another.

 

 

He said: “The bill provides that at any general election for the office of the President, the incumbent President, if not re-elected, shall within two weeks of the declaration of the President-Elect as the winner of the election, provide space for not more than 10 persons designated by the President-elect, to begin a review and analysis of the budgetary expenditures during the tenor of the current president.”

 

According to him, the committee shall also review all necessary documents, as may be requested by the President -elect’s transition team, to acquire a working knowledge of the various offices.

 

Dogara said these offices include departments, commissions, boards and other agencies of the executive arm of the Federal Government, adding that any disruption occasioned by the transfer of the executive power could produce results detrimental to the safety and well-being of Nigeria.

 

The Speaker further said in the United States of America, The Presidential Transition Act (PTA) of 1963, as amended, established formal mechanisms to facilitate presidential transitions, was in line with best practices in other presidential democracies worldwide.

 

“The Bill under consideration also makes provisions for the appointment of an Administrator-General, who shall oversee the transition process, after each general election.

 

“The transition team shall collate information about the responsibilities of major departments and agencies of the Federal Government, and provide information that is relevant, useful and important to the new administration. He is also to lay the ground work for the incoming President to implement his policies.

 

“This will go a long way, in solving the problems of a chaotic handing over and hostile taking over of power after any general election. It will ensure accountability and transparency in the system, and help minimise or avoid disruptions that might be occasioned by the transition. This Bill institutionalises the Transition process and takes it out of the whims and caprices of the actors in the political arena.”

 

KEHINDE AKINTOLA, Abuja