The Oyo State House of Assembly has urged the Executive arm of government to expedite action on the confirmation and appointment of a substantive Auditor-General for the state in place of the Acting Auditor-General.
The House made this resolution following a motion presented before it on the need for the appointment of a substantive Auditor-General for Oyo State and submission of outstanding audited reports of State’s Accounts to the House in accordance with the provisions of the Nigerian Constitution .
During the plenary, the House observed through the Appropriation Committee that the Auditor-General in place has been acting for more than six months which the law stipulates.
The House further directed that immediately the appointment is endorsed by the Executive arm, the substantive Auditor-General should make sure that the report of three years starting from 2014, 2015 and 2016 respectively be submitted to the House of Assembly.
The motion, which was read by Hon. Afeez Adeleke representing Iseyin/Itesiwaju State Constituency was co sponsored by Hon. Bolanle Agbaje representing Ibadan North 1, Hon. Fatai Adeshina representing Ibadan South East 1, Hon. Samuel Akande representing Ogbomosho South and Hon. Bolaji Badmos representing Akinyele constituency respectively.
While presenting the motion, Hon. Afeez Adeleke pointed out that during the consideration of the year 2016 budget of all ministries, departments and agencies of government in February, 2016, the present Auditor-General introduced himself as ‘Acting Auditor-General’ and barely a year plus, when the House commenced consideration of 2017 Budget proposals of MDAs in January, 2017, the same Auditor-General still introduced himself as Acting Auditor-General, and this caught the attention of the honourable members especially the committee on Public Accounts, Finance and Appropriations.
He further noted that this action runs contrary to the Civil Service Regulations because the Auditor-General is a substantive Grade level 16 officer who cannot be ‘Held Against Post’ (HAP) in that capacity according to the Civil Service Rule and constitutional provisions.
Meanwhile, the House of Assembly has read for the first time, a bill on Private Veterinary Establishments (Regulations) Bill, 2017 which was sponsored by the Deputy Speaker, Hon. Abdulwasih Musa, the Majority Leader, Hon. Kehinde Subair and Hon. Safiu Olalere representing Ido State constituency.
Packaged by Feyisayo Oladiipo
