Honour our invitations or face sanctions, Senate warns MDAs

By Henry Umoru, Abuja

The Senate on Thursday warned Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) and Government-Owned Enterprises (GOEs) against failure to honour invitations issued by the chamber or its committees, saying defaulting institutions would face sanctions.

The warning followed the Senate’s concern over the refusal of some agencies to appear before the Senate Committee on Finance during interactive sessions on internally generated revenue, operating surpluses and remittances into the Consolidated Revenue Fund (CRF).

The Senate resolved to enforce its constitutional powers under Sections 88 and 89 of the 1999 Constitution, as amended, and relevant legislative provisions to sanction institutions that deliberately ignore its invitations or obstruct its oversight functions.

Meanwhile, the Senate has adjourned plenary for its annual recess till September 15.

The resolutions were reached following a motion titled, “Motion on the Persistent Non-Compliance by Government-Owned Enterprises (GOEs) and Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) with the Oversight Activities of the Senate Committee on Finance,” sponsored by the Chairman of the Committee, Senator Sani Musa (APC, Niger East), and co-sponsored by 28 other senators.

The upper chamber also urged the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Head of the Civil Service of the Federation and ministers to ensure compliance by agencies under their supervision with all invitations, summonses and directives issued by the Senate and its committees.

It directed the Clerk to the National Assembly to communicate the resolution to all affected MDAs, GOEs and relevant authorities for immediate compliance.

The Senate further resolved that any agency that refuses to honour invitations or obstructs legislative oversight would be subjected to enforcement measures provided under the Constitution, the Legislative Houses (Powers and Privileges) Act, the Fiscal Responsibility Act and the Senate Standing Orders.

Among the agencies expected to provide explanations on alleged non-remittances into the CRF between 2023 and 2025 are the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL), Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC), Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Federal Radio Corporation of Nigeria (FRCN), Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB), National Examination Council (NECO), Federal Medical Centre, Jabi, Nigeria Deposit Insurance Corporation (NDIC), Nigerian Shippers’ Council and National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON).

Presenting the motion, Senator Musa said the National Assembly was constitutionally empowered to investigate the administration and expenditure of public funds, expose corruption, inefficiency and waste, and promote accountability.

He cited Order 97 of the Senate Standing Orders, 2023, which empowers standing committees to conduct oversight of MDAs and GOEs under their jurisdictions.

Musa expressed concern that several institutions had repeatedly failed to appear before the Senate Committee on Finance despite invitations issued in line with its oversight responsibilities.

Contributing to the debate, Senator Adams Oshiomhole (APC, Edo North) said oversight was one of the ways Parliament supports the executive by ensuring compliance with laws and accountability in public finance management.

Oshiomhole said the President should not be blamed for the actions of agencies that fail to appear before the legislature, noting that there was no evidence that the President directed any agency to disregard Senate invitations.

He added that oversight activities had exposed cases of alleged breaches of the Fiscal Responsibility Act, excessive recurrent spending and violations of revenue remittance requirements by some agencies.

Senator Orji Uzor Kalu (APC, Abia North) said the National Assembly must assert its constitutional authority, stressing that summoning agencies was part of its responsibility.

“This is not the job of the President. This is our job, and we need to act,” Kalu said.

Also speaking, Senator Abdul Ningi (Bauchi Central) urged the Senate to issue a final warning to defaulting agencies and consider stronger measures against persistent offenders.

Senator Danladi Envulu-Anza (APC, Nasarawa North) said Section 89 of the Constitution empowered the Senate to summon persons to provide information relevant to legislative proceedings.

In his remarks, Senate President Godswill Akpabio said the chamber would no longer continue to lament about agencies refusing to honour invitations but would invoke its constitutional powers where necessary.

Akpabio said committees should identify agencies that repeatedly disregard invitations and recommend appropriate action.

At the end of deliberations, the Senate adopted five out of the six prayers contained in the motion after a voice vote conducted by the Senate President.

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