Secret Reporters No place to hide
Secrets Reporters
The Federal Ministry of Niger Delta Development has been embroiled in a messy probe following an audit report that revealed the illegal possession and mismanagement of government vehicles. The Office of the Auditor-General for the Federation, in its 2021 Annual Report on Non-compliance, detailed findings indicating lapses in the ministry’s internal control system, which may have led to the disappearance of several official vehicles.
According to the audit, government regulations strictly prohibit part-time board members from retaining official vehicles for personal use. The Public Service Rules (PSR), 2008, and the Financial Regulations (FR), 2009, outline clear provisions for the management, maintenance, and disposal of government assets. However, findings suggest that these regulations were not adhered to in the Ministry of Niger Delta Development.
The audit uncovered that twenty-five vehicles, including twenty-one Toyota Hilux, two Toyota Hiace, one Toyota Land Cruiser, and one Toyota Corolla, could not be traced to their designated locations.
Additionally, seven vehicles—six Toyota Hilux and one Toyota Corolla—were reportedly stolen without any documentary evidence or compliance with government regulations on asset loss. Furthermore, five vehicles, including four Toyota Hilux and one Toyota Corolla, were involved in accidents, but there was no proof of adherence to regulations governing the loss and replacement of government assets.
The report attributed these anomalies to weaknesses in the Ministry’s internal control mechanisms, raising concerns about the potential loss of government assets and the possible conversion of public property for private use.
In response to the audit, the Ministry stated that efforts were underway to address the issue. It said the External Audit Unit, in collaboration with the Ministry’s Board of Survey, is conducting a comprehensive review of the matter. Additionally, the Permanent Secretary has set up a separate committee to investigate the discrepancies and ensure that all government assets are properly accounted for.
Despite these assurances, the Auditor-General’s office deemed the Ministry’s response unsatisfactory, maintaining that the findings remain valid until concrete actions are taken to address the concerns. The report emphasized that without clear documentation and compliance with established regulations, the accountability of government assets remains questionable.
As a corrective measure, the audit recommended that the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry account for the twenty-five missing vehicles before the Public Accounts Committees of the National Assembly. Furthermore, the Ministry is required to provide evidence of compliance with regulations regarding the stolen and accident-damaged vehicles and to show proof of recovery efforts. Failure to do so could result in sanctions under paragraph 3129 of the Financial Regulations, 2009, which prescribes penalties for gross misconduct in public service.
