Reps Query Accountant General Over Contract Irregularities, Delayed Payments

The House of Representatives Committee on Public Procurement has called on the Accountant General of the Federation, Shamsudeen Ogunjimi, to fast-track the payment of funds owed to contractors across the country.

Committee Chairman Unyime Idem made the call during a meeting in Abuja, expressing concern over delays in payments for projects completed in the last two years.

Idem said the committee had received numerous petitions from contractors protesting delayed or unpaid fees for executed jobs, noting that the House had been engaging the aggrieved parties to maintain calm while efforts continued to resolve the issue.

“On a daily basis, as a committee in charge of public procurement, we receive petitions and protests from contractors. “It took the effort of the committee and the leadership of the House to manage their anger and prevent the situation from escalating.” the Lawmaker said.

He said the committee had directed Ogunjimi to provide, within seven days, documents explaining alleged irregularities in contract awards contained in the agency’s 2023–2025 budget.

Responding, Accountant General of the Federation, Shamsudeen Ogunjimi acknowledged that some contracts were awarded without financial backing, describing the practice as a violation of existing laws.

He said efforts were ongoing to ensure that all contractors who had completed their jobs were paid.

Ogunjimi, also noted that some of the officials involved in the alleged infractions had since been redeployed from their previous positions.

He assured the committee that a comprehensive and official response to all issues raised in the 2023–2025 budget would be submitted within a week.

Oduyemi Odumade, Edited By Grace Namiji