2019 FINANCIAL REPORTS : AKWA IBOM HOUSE OF ASSEMBLY HOLDS PUBLIC HEARING

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 Williams Akpabio - Information Unit AKHA, Uyo


Ad-hoc Committee to investigate Akwa Ibom State Government 2019 Audit/Accounts Report yesterday conducted Public Hearing to avail the entirety of Akwa Ibom State the opportunity to witness and contribute on the alleged discrepancies of the  of the Akwa Ibom State Government account.

It could be recall that the 2019 financial report from the Office of the Accountant General generated some controversies in the State due to discrepancies in the figures, and Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly in it's plenary of Tuesday 8th December, 2020 constituted A-4 Man Ad-hoc Committee to investigate the  State Government 2019 Audit Accounts report.


The Speaker, Rt. Hon. Aniekan Bassey directed the House Leader, Rt. Hon. Udo Kierian Akpan to be the Chairman and the Deputy House Leader, Rt. Hon. (Barr.) Aniefiok Denis,  as Secretary of the Committee  while Chairman, Appropriation and Finance Committee, Rt. Hon. Uduak Odudoh and the Chairman, Public Accounts Committee, Hon. (Dr.) Charity Ido, serves as members of the Ad-hoc Committee. 

The committee was charged to conduct a detailed investigation into the financial report,  summon, where necessary, all relevant parties, agencies and persons connecting and having anything to do with the said report, conduct an in-depth investigation without leaving any stone unturned and report back to the House within one month.



In furtherance of the investigation, Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly Ad-hoc Committee which is saddled with the responsibility, held Public Hearing at the Conference Room of the Assembly, to investigate the alleged discrepancies of the 2019 Audit/Accounts Report of the State Government, cross examined Government Officials and interfaced with public through a written memorandum submitted to the Ad-hoc Committee's Secretariat.


 The Chairman of the Ad-hoc Committee, Sir Udo Kierian Akpan in his opening address said that the essence of the event was to make inquiries and gather clarifications on the issue bothering the withdrawal of the 2019 published Audit/Financial reports.

According to him, the grey areas which instigated public outroar which the committee needed clarifications from the invited Government officials include:
(i) Expenditure on 15 Prado Jeeps.
(ii) Expenditure on Aircraft's maintenance.
(iii) Alleged Fraud on Akwa Ibom Pilgrim Welfare Board.
(iv) Alleged release of funds for Projects across the twenty six State Constituency.
(v) Expenditure on Fuel and Lubricant at the Government House.



The Accountant General, Pastor Uwem Andrew Essien in his submission alleged that the discrepancies were necessitated by the 'printers devil', hence the call for the retrieval of the  error laden copies of the report and subsequent replacement with the error free copies of the report.

Other officials that were cross examined were the Commissioner of Finance, Mr. Nsikan Linus Nkan; Commissioner for Works and Fire Service, Prof Eno Ibanga; the Permanent Secretary, Government House, Elder Nathaniel Adiakpan, the State Auditor General, Mr Monday Akpan, and Special Assistant to the Governor on SDGs,  Ntufam Elijah Iyak.



Briefing newsmen after the 2-segmented Public Hearing, the Secretary of the Ad-hoc Committee, Barr. Aniefiok Dennis Akpan assured the entire public that the committee will exhibited the utmost transparency desired in the discharge of their responsibilities.

Barr. Akpan reaffirm the ad-hoc committee's resolve to abide strictly to the laid down rules guiding the rules of Investigative(Public) Hearing as provided for in Order 11 Rule 6 (7) of the Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly Standing Orders. 

Other members of the Ad-hoc Committee are Rt. Hon. Uduak Odudoh (Ikot Abasi/Eastern Obolo); Hon. (Dr.) Charity Ido (Ukanafun).
Meanwhile, the Committee after a thorough cross examination of the government officials present, adjourned the public hearing and to reconvene on a later date to be announced soon to enable the Secretary to the State Government, Commissioner for Special Duties and Accountant General to appear for cross examination.








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