N’Assembly queries fire service over procurement irregularities
The National Assembly Joint Committee on Interior, on Friday, queried the Federal Fire Service over identified discrepancies in the agency’s 2025 budget proposal.
The committee stepped down the service’s budget defence as a result of the irregularities.
This happened when the FFS Controller General, Jaji Idris, appeared before a sitting co-chaired by Senator Adams Oshiomhole, Chairman of the Senate Committee on Interior, and his House of Representatives counterpart, Abdullahi Ahmed, to defend the 2024 budget performance and 2025 proposal.
Among various infractions, the committee noted that 10 trucks were procured at N1.5bn in one instance and at N2.5bn in another, despite being from the same company and of the same maker and specifications.
The FFS boss explained that the variation in cost was as a result of differences in tanker sizes.
However, lawmakers criticised the omission of such critical details from the budget documents.
A visibly angry Oshiomhole said, “This is what some may call over-padding or over-invoicing. It is a very serious matter. What you wrote contradicts what you are saying, and we hold you to your written statements.”
The committee also flagged ongoing projects with missing specifications and unclear contract commitments.
The FFS budget proposal for 2025 included a projected outstanding payment of N603bn for ongoing contracts, but lawmakers questioned the lack of details of the contracts.
Oshiomhole stressed, “We need to appreciate the difference between contract commitments and proposals. Without proper documentation, this committee cannot approve your budget.”
He highlighted the importance of fiscal responsibility and accountability, stating, “When you come before this committee, be ready. We will be critical, not to cause you trouble, but to ensure Nigerians get value for money.
“Government should be less wasteful. Every N10 lost by MDAs, when multiplied across all agencies, becomes an alarming figure. As our President keeps reminding us, he is trying to draw a bucket of water from a dry well. It is our duty to ensure that the little drawn is properly distributed so that every Nigerian gets a sip, especially the poor,” he said.
The Committee also queried the agency for lack of proper information on and evidence for revenue it generated.
The FFS Controller-General was unable to provide proof of revenue remittance, presenting manual receipts that the committee rejected as insufficient.
The lawmakers demanded bank statements and evidence from the Accountant-General’s Office to validate the transactions.
Following the numerous discrepancies, the committee decided to step down the FFS budget defence, demanding a revised and accurate submission at a later date.
“Work on your documents and submit a proper presentation to this committee. Otherwise, there will be zero allocation for the agency, “Oshiomhole warned.
He said the session underscored the lawmakers’ commitment to fiscal transparency and the effective utilisation of public funds.
The former Edo State Governor said the agency now faces the challenge of rectifying its budgetary inconsistencies to secure funding for 2025.
