OAGF moves to enforce guidelines on constituency projects

Barbara Bako, Abuja.

The Office of the Accountant General of the Federation (OAGF) has stated that it will work within its mandate to ensure compliance with government guidelines and circulars on the execution and payment of constituency projects.

The Accountant General of the Federation (AGF), Mr Babatunde Ogunjimi stated this when the Permanent Secretary of the Federal Ministry of Special Duties and Intergovernmental Affairs, Mr Onwusoro Maduka Ihemelandu visited him in Abuja.

Mr Ogunjimi reaffirmed the support of the OAGF to the campaign by the Federal Ministry of Special Duties and Intergovernmental Affairs to enforce compliance with government guidelines and circulars on execution and payment for constituency projects.

“We will give a bite to these guidelines; we will ensure that these guidelines are projected adequately and that it becomes part of the prerequisite documentation for all constituency projects”, the AGF said.

He promised that the guidelines on constituency projects will be an important part of discussions at all OAGF engagements with its stakeholders and that the Ministry of Special Duties and Intergovernmental Affairs will be given the opportunity to make presentations at such occasions.

Mr Ogunjimi stated further that in OAGF circulars on closure and capital projects, emphasis will be made on compliance with the guidelines on constituency projects.

He advised the Ministry of Special Duties and Intergovernmental Affairs to continue the engagement with relevant government Agencies, stakeholders and the National Assembly to increase awareness on the guidelines and circulars.

Speaking earlier, Mr. Onwusoro requested that no payments should be made for constituency projects that are not executed in line with the Federal Government guidelines and circulars and duly certified by his Ministry.

The Permanent Secretary observed that despite the Federal Government’s guidelines and circulars, many Agencies have executed and paid for constituency projects without adherence to the guidelines and circulars and due verification.

He pointed out that this practice does not allow the government to get maximum value for the funds spent on these projects.

Mr Ihemelandu appealed for collaboration between his Ministry and the Office of the Accountant General of the Federation (OAGF) to guarantee that the guidelines are implemented fully and no payments are made for constituency projects unless after verification by his Ministry.