Scrutiny Over N5bn Calculator Purchase
On Tuesday, the House of Representatives Committee on Basic Examination Bodies closely questioned Josiah Dangut, the Head of National Office for the West African Examination Council (WAEC) Nigeria. The inquiry focused on a N6bn deficit incurred by WAEC in 2023 and a substantial N5bn loan taken in 2022 for the purchase of customised calculators.
Detailed Examination of Financial Practices
Dangut, alongside other senior WAEC officials including the Registrar and the Finance Director, was required to present detailed financial records. However, the committee expressed dissatisfaction when the agency’s cashbook was provided instead of the demanded bank statements, leading to a requirement for WAEC to submit all relevant bank statements from 2018 onward within one week.
Allegations of Non-Cooperation
Committee member Awaji-Inombek Abiante criticized WAEC for its lack of cooperation during the proceedings. He emphasized the necessity for transparency and accountability, particularly in light of the significant public funds involved.
Financial Discrepancies Highlighted
Further probing raised concerns over how WAEC managed to generate N34bn yet reported expenditures of N40bn in the same year. The committee also challenged the legality of the N5bn loan approval, which typically would require higher authorization than WAEC’s internal board could provide.
Committee’s Demands for Compliance
The committee insisted on a comprehensive breakdown of expenditures that led to the N6 billion deficit and detailed documentation related to the N5bn calculator purchase. They also sought evidence of compliance with public procurement and financial regulations, especially regarding the contracts for constructing WAEC’s office in Taraba, valued at N532m.
WAEC’s Commitment to Transparency
In response to the committee’s demands, Dangut assured them of WAEC’s commitment to transparency and requested additional time to gather and submit the required documents. He justified some of the preemptive payments as necessary to mitigate the effects of inflation on project costs.
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