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Worried over noticeable discrepancies in the audited account of Nigeria Communications Satellite (NIGCOMSAT) Ltd, the House of Representatives Committee on Finance has directed the government communications satellite company to rework its book for clarity and proper accounts keeping.
Chairman of the Committee, Hon. James Falake, expressed his displeasure over the company’s financial records during the resumed investigative hearing into the under-remittance by major ministries, departments and agencies (MDAs).
The committee observed that NIGCOMSAT’s General Manager, Finance, Alhaji Shehu Malami, could not defend some of the figures presented. It then gave the company another opportunity to go rework its accounts as it had done to other MDAs for sake of clarity.
NIGCOMSAT is expected to return in the weeks ahead to give a proper rendering of its accounts.
Falake expressed concerns that many MDAs do not recognise the need for proper accounts keeping and that the committee has legislative functions to ensure that “all monies budgeted for [by MDAs] are accounted to the last kobo.”
He said the committee would not hesitate to sanction and recommend for sack, any agency of government that fails to put its books and records correct.
His words: “We cannot continue with this, the management has to go and perfect its records and present it for consideration because the one brought cannot stand the test of time’.
“Although, we don’t have the power to hire and fire, it is within our purview to recommend sanctions which could include sack of a given officer. So, we can actually do that.”
Gombe to leverage NIGCOMSAT to boost development
Meanwhile, Gombe State government has declared its readiness to utilize the services of NIGCOMSAT to the benefits of the state, said a statement issued in Abuja by the company’s Head, Media Relations Unit, Stephen Kwande.
Gombe expressed its desire to use the satellite services during a recent visit by the Commissioner for Science, Technology and Innovation, Dr. Aishatu Umar Maigari, to NIGCOMSAT.
Maigari who was visibly elated during a tour of NIGCOMSAT said the state will leverage NIGCOMSAT’s high tech innovations and facility for the standardization of all technological input within all its ministries and schools.
“We are using NIGCOMSAT as a starting point and l want to assure you that by the time we are done, voters will come for us and not reverse as the case,” said Maigari.
Adding that Gombe will leverage technology to address poverty and empower the people. Her words: “And these are the benefits of democracy which we will deliver to the people to change and alleviate poverty in the state.”
Earlier, while receiving Maigari, the Managing Director, Dr. Abimbola Alale, described NIGCOMSAT Ltd as a low hanging fruit ready to be plucked. She called on the state government to leverage NIGCOMSAT technology hub to boost development and capacity building in Gombe. Alale was represented by the Executive Director Marketing and Business Development, Dr. Najeem Salaam.
