Fire Service Under Fire, As Rep order N1.48bn COVID-19 Funds Refund

A storm brewed in the House of Representatives on Wednesday as the Public Accounts Committee, led by Bamidele Salam, directed the Federal Fire Service to cough up N1.48 billion within a week. This stern order stemmed from the Service’s repeated failure to appear before the committee and explain how they expended COVID-19 intervention funds.

This wasn’t a first offense. The Fire Service had thrice snubbed the committee’s summons, prompting Deputy Chairman Jeremiah Umar to declare, “So many other agencies have appeared, and the investigation is ongoing. I don’t see any reason why the Fire Service will ignore a committee like this.”

His words echoed a growing frustration with the Service’s apparent lack of transparency. Unable to shed light on the N1.48 billion allocated in 2020, Umar saw no choice but to demand its complete return. “Since the service could not appear to clear the controversies surrounding its COVID-19 expenditure, the right thing to do was to refund the sum,” he stated firmly.

This incident served as a stark reminder of broader accountability concerns. Following the Fire Service’s footsteps were several other Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs). The Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security (N50.5 billion), the Office of the Accountant General of the Federation (N33 billion), the Federal Ministry of Women Affairs (N625 million), the National Centre for Disease Control (N25 billion), and the Federal Ministry of Health (N10 billion) all found themselves on the committee’s radar.

Similar to the Fire Service, these MDAs had twice neglected the committee’s invitations to address queries raised by the Auditor-General of the Federation regarding billions of Naira allocated as COVID-19 intervention funds. Their repeated absence didn’t sit well with Chairman Salam, who warned them of harsher consequences. “The later group has been given one week to appear, or face sanctions,” he declared.

Drawing on legislative muscle, Salam cited regulations empowering the committee to penalize unresponsive individuals. “A public officer who fails to respond… shall be surcharged and transferred,” he stated, outlining potential consequences like being handed over to anti-corruption agencies.

With a clear message sent, the committee aims to move forward with their vital task of scrutinizing COVID-19 spending across various government entities. The Fire Service’s case stands as a cautionary tale, highlighting the importance of transparency and accountability when dealing with public funds, especially during a crisis like the pandemic. Whether the Service complies with the directive or faces further action remains to be seen, but one thing is certain: the committee won’t hesitate to hold them, and others, accountable.