…vow to ensure tansparency, accountability
By Paul Effiong, Abuja
House of Representatives has launched a probe into security intervention funds disbursed by the federal government from 2020 till date.
The lawmakers vowed to ensure transparency, accountability and fiscal discipline in the management of resources meant to protect Nigerians.
Chairman of the Ad-hoc Committee on the Expenditure of All Intervention Funds on Security, Zakaria Nyampa disclosed this at the inauguration of the committee yesterday at the National Assembly in Abuja.
He said the investigation was necessitated by the widening gap between huge budgetary allocations to the security sector and the continuing wave of insecurity across the country.
According to him, “This is not a witch-hunt, Our duty is to ensure that every naira released for security serves its purpose to safeguard lives and property.
He said the probe “will cover all intervention heads, special allocations and procurement processes undertaken by benefiting agencies. The committee will also assess the impact of the spending on security outcomes across Nigeria.
“We are determined to follow the money with diligence, objectivity and patriotism.”
To guarantee credibility and openness, the committee pledged to collaborate with the Ministry of Finance, Budget Office, Office of the National Security Adviser, defence and police authorities, as well as the EFCC, ICPC, and civil society watchdogs such as BudgIT, CISLAC and SERAP.
“Transparency is the backbone of good governance. When money meant to secure our nation is diverted, the cost is not just in naira and kobo, it is in human lives. We owe it to Nigerians to get this right,” he added, assuring that the committee’s report would help strengthen security governance and restore public trust.
In his welcome remarks, Speaker Tajudeen Abbas reaffirmed the commitment of the 10th House to accountability, probity and utilisation of all security interventions in Nigeria.
The speaker, who was represented by the Deputy Chief Whip, Ibrahim Isiaka, said the creation of the committee was a demonstration of the House unwavering commitment to accountability in matters of national security.
He urged the committee members to uphold accountability, effectiveness and fairness as the core values of the House.
