Speaker of the House of Representatives, Tajudeen Abbas, has called on Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs) to exercise caution and responsibility in managing public funds.
According to Naija News, Speaker Abbas made this statement on Thursday while inaugurating a special committee tasked with probing how public funds—provided as take-off grants, bailouts, and other special interventions—have been utilized by MDAs, institutions, and government-owned enterprises since 2015.
He emphasized that public officials entrusted with funds must uphold the highest standards of integrity and should not even be suspected of misusing such resources.
“Successive governments have recognized the need to address urgent financial shortfalls in various MDAs and public institutions by allocating special funds in the form of bailouts, take-off grants, and other interventions aimed at boosting economic development and social stability. These efforts were widely praised by Nigerians,” Abbas stated.
“However, these significant public funds must be accounted for. This hearing was necessitated by concerns that many recipients have failed to justify how the grants were spent or make required refunds, as stipulated in the terms of some of the interventions.”
He clarified that the House’s objective is to promote accountability, transparency, and responsible use of public funds—not to carry out a witch-hunt.
Abbas also highlighted the broader implications of mismanaging public resources, noting that it damages Nigeria’s image, hampers economic growth, and poses risks to national security.
“It is essential that public officers understand the serious consequences of misusing or failing to account for public funds. This is not just a financial matter but a national issue with social and security dimensions,” he added.
Chairman of the investigative committee, Chinedu Martins, reiterated the purpose of the hearings—to ensure that public funds have been used effectively and have truly benefited Nigerians.
“We must conduct a thorough review of how these funds were used, making sure that every naira is properly accounted for and has served the people,” Martins said.
He encouraged agency leaders and representatives to provide honest and accurate information, assuring them that the hearings are meant to foster cooperation and transparency, not to assign blame.
“This is not a witch-hunt. It is a collaborative process. We are committed to ensuring a fair and respectful inquiry,” he concluded.