The Senate has urged the federal government to ensure adequate funding of the Office of Auditor General of the Federation (OAuGF) if it’s truly serious in ending corruption in the country.
According to the upper legislative chamber, investing more in stopping corruption rather than fighting, would achieve the desired results of blocking funds leakages and boosting the nation’s economy.
The chairman, Senate Committee on Public Accounts, Matthew Urhoghide (PDP Edo South), made the call Wednesday in Abuja when the Auditor General of the Federation, Mr. Anthony Ayine, appeared before the committee for 2019 budget defence of the OAuGF.
Urhoghide maintained that it would be difficult for the government to achieve any meaningful results in its fight against corruption when the AuGF, which should prevent the act of indiscipline is underfunded while the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has adequate funds for its activities.
He, however, appealed to President Muhammadu Buhari to urgently sign into law the Federal Audit Bill before him to give strong backing to the fight against corruption in the country, saying this would guarantees and safeguards operational independence of the OAuGF.
“When the Bill is passed into law, the Auditor-General shall be vested with additional powers to inquire into, examine, investigate and report as he considers necessary on the expenditure of public monies and money advanced or granted to a private organisation or body in which the federal government has controlling interest,” he said.
