All ministries, departments and agencies (MDAs) have been directed by the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) to return all unspent balances on personnel votes to the sub-treasury of the federation not later than Monday, December 31, 2012, or face the wrath of the law.
In a statement signed by the ICPC’s Chairman, Mr. Ekpo Nta, which was made available to LEADERSHIP SUNDAY, the commission also ordered the MDAs to submit the receipt and expenditure profiles of their personnel costs to the commission not later than January 31, 2013, using a template approved by the anti-graft agency.
Nta said, “The letters have been sent to the various MDAs for strict compliance and to note that any infraction will be prosecuted.”
He also announced that, “The commission will commence verification for the returns made to the sub-treasury by February 2013.”
In the statement titled: “Treatment of Unspent Balances Of 2012 Personnel Costs,” Nta said the commission had carried out a pilot system study and review on the utilisation of the 2011 personnel votes of some MDAs. Observable lapses were highlighted and discussed with the various MDAs.
“The commission will be carrying out another system study and review of the 2012 personnel vote to ensure total compliance with Section 16 of the Finance (Control and Management) Act, LFN, 1990 and the Financial Regulations regarding unspent balances in line with the Accountant-General of Federation’s Circular No. TRY/A5 & B5/2011 of November 20, 2012.
“All MDAs are requested to submit the receipt and expenditure profiles of their personnel cost to reach the commission not later than January 31, 2013 using the approved template. For the avoidance of doubt, personnel vote is for the payment of salaries and allowances for government employees only. All unspent balances should be returned to the sub-treasury of the federation by December 31, 2012,” Nta said.