FG Should Focus On Preventing Corruption Instead Of Fighting It – Senate

Nigerian Senate has urged the Federal Government to focus on investing in the prevention of corruption instead of fighting it.

The Chairman, Senate Committee on Public Accounts, Sen. Matthew Urhoghide, revealed this when the Auditor-General of the Federation, Mr Anthony Ayine, appeared before the committee to defend the 2019 budget of his office today.

Mr Matthew said for the government to ensure corruption is a thing of the past, they must do all they can to properly fund the Office of Auditor-General of the Federation (OAUGF).

His words, “I wonder why the EFCC has a whooping N22 billion in 2019 Budget while the Auditor General’s Office has just N3billion. I do not think the Executive believes in this office, if not they will not be underfunding it every year.

“To achieve transparency and probity of public funds, it is better to invest in stopping corruption instead of fighting it,”

“When the Bill is passed into law, the Auditor-General shall be vested with additional powers to inquire into, examine, investigate and report, as he considers necessary, on the expenditure of public monies.

“He shall also investigate money advanced or granted to a private organization or body in which the federal government has controlling interest.

“The administrative autonomy will enable the OAUGF attract quality human capital at competitive standards for improved efficiency; as recruitment of members of staff will now be conducted professionally by the Federal Audit Service Commission.”