Secret Reporters No place to hide
Secrets Reporters
Incriminating documents have uncovered irregularities in the payment of sitting allowances amounting to ₦9,200,500.00 at the National Broadcasting Corporation (NBC) in 2020. This development was buried in the recently 2021 audit report by Nigeria’s auditor general.
The report flagged the payments as non-compliant with established federal regulations, highlighting several critical issues.
According to the document which was assessed by SecretsReporters, it was disclosed that the sum of ₦9,200,500.00 was disbursed to various NBC staff as sitting allowances for attending routine two days committee meetings.
It was gathered that these meetings formed part of the officers’ regular duties for which they already received monthly salaries.
Remarkably, the document revealed that no approval was sought or obtained from the National Salaries, Incomes and Wages Commission (NSIWC) for the payment of these allowances to the staff.
Violation of Federal Guidelines
The payments contravened specific provisions outlined in multiple Establishment Circulars, which regulate remuneration practices for public servants:
According to the SWC/S/04/S.310/T/65 circular dated April 8, 2016, public servants on monthly salaries, including Chief Executive Officers and board members of their own establishments, are not entitled to sitting allowances. It further stipulates that a single sitting may cover more than one meeting.
The same circular caps the frequency of meetings and the maximum number of allowances claimable at four per year.
Another circular, SWC/S/04/5.167/216 dated February 12, 2004, requires all federal government parastatals and agencies seeking to monetize fringe benefits to obtain prior evaluation and approval from the NSIWC.
Risks Highlighted by the Audit
The audit report identified weaknesses in NBC’s internal control system as a significant factor behind these anomalies. It raised alarm about the risks of waste of public funds due to unwarranted payments, and disproportionate remuneration, potentially exceeding staff productivity levels.
NBC Management’s Silence
The audit noted that NBC management failed to provide any response to these findings, raising further concerns about accountability within the organization.
This development comes at a time when public scrutiny of government agencies’ financial management remains high, with calls for reforms to enhance accountability and curb financial misconduct.
It is imperative to note that the National Broadcasting Commission is the broadcast regulator of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. The commission was set up on August 24, 1992, by Decree 38 of 1992 later amended as an act of the National Assembly by Act 55 of 1999 and now known as National Broadcasting Commission Laws of the Federation 2004, CAP N11 to among other responsibilities, regulate and control the broadcasting industry in Nigeria.
