Federal Government contractors may soon find relief as the House of Representatives has stepped in to address the alleged sharp practices regarding contractor payments by the Ministry of Finance and the Office of the Accountant General of the Federation.
In response to the motion titled, “Alleged Fraudulent Practices in the Payment of Contractors by the Offices of the Ministry of Finance and Accountant General of the Federation,” co-sponsored by Hon. Professor Paul Sunday Nnamchi, House Leader, Hon. Professor Julius Ihonvbere, and Hon. Aminu Sani Jaji, the House directed the Committee on Finance to investigate these allegations.
Additionally, the House urged the Federal Government to strengthen internal controls, enforce strict penalties on officials found guilty of corruption within the parliamentary system, and establish a transparent digital payment system that removes discretionary human interference in contract payments.
Professor Ihonvbere, presenting the motion on behalf of the lead sponsor, Professor Nnamchi, who was unavoidably absent, reminded his colleagues that the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, as amended, mandates transparency, accountability, and prudent management of public funds as fundamental governance principles.
He further referenced Section 15(5) of the Constitution, which states that “the state shall abolish corrupt practices and abuse of power,” underscoring the government’s duty to prevent, investigate, and punish misconduct, particularly in public financial management.
He highlighted reports of contractors being coerced into providing kickbacks or facing unjustified deductions from their payments as a condition for processing their invoices by officials of the Federal Ministry of Finance.
The sponsors emphasised that the “unrestrained continuation of these corrupt practices could deter credible investors and undermine confidence in the government’s ability to maintain transparency and accountability.”
They also asserted that without thorough investigations into these alleged sharp practices and the necessary corrective actions, contractors might lose faith in government engagements, jeopardising economic development and leading to failed infrastructure projects nationwide.
