All unspent funds should be returned to FG, ICPC tells government agencies

- The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Crimes Commission, ICPC is in the news again

- This time, the ICPC has written to Ministries, Agencies and Departments (MDAs) of the federal government

- ICPC has asked the agencies to return their unspent funds into the sub-treasury of the federation

The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Crimes Commission (ICPC) has asked Ministries, Agencies and Departments (MDAs) of the federal government to return their unspent personnel funds into the sub-treasury of the federation.

According to Leadership, the ICPC has indicated its readiness to carry out a System Study and Review of the 2016 Personnel Vote to ensure total compliance with section 16 of the Finance (Control and Management) Act, LFN, 1990 and the Financial Regulations regarding unspent balances in line with the extant rules and regulations.

The letter which was personally signed by the ICPC chairman, Ekpo Nta, reads in part: “All Ministries, Departments and Agencies not presently captured on the IPPIS platform are requested to submit the receipt and expenditure profiles of their personnel cost to the commission not later than December, 20, 2016.”

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He continued: “For avoidance of doubt, the personnel vote is strictly for the payment of salaries and allowances for government employees only, as specified in the 2016 Appropriation Act. It does not cover sallah/christmas bonuses, “13th month” salaries, arrears of promotions, etc.

“All unspent balances should be returned to the sub-treasury of the federation by December, 31, 2016.

“The commission will commence verification of the returns made to the sub-treasury by January 2016. Letters have been sent to the various Ministries, Departments and Agencies for strict compliance and to note that any infractions will be prosecuted.”

The ICPC had carried out a similar exercise in 2012, where observable lapses were highlighted and recoveries of about N9 Billion effected from the various MDAs.

Meanwhile, a recent media report indicated that the federal government is losing N700 billion ($2.3 billion) annually due to the activities of illegal ship chandler.

This claim was made by the president of Association of Chandlers and Ship Suppliers of Nigeria, Mr Vickson Aghanenu.

According to Aghanenu, 80 per cent of the chandlers in Nigeria are not licensed by the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) as stipulated by the Customs and Excise Management Act (CEMA).

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In a related development, some state government representatives gathered recently to consider creative ways to boost their revenue base due to the economic recession Nigeria is currently battling. 

The officials received training on resources mobilisation, responsive fiscal governance and participatory budget process.