The Accountant General of the Federation, Babatunde Ogunjimi, has pledged support for stricter enforcement of government guidelines and circulars governing the execution and payment of constituency projects.
Ogunjimi made this known during a courtesy visit by the Permanent Secretary of the Federal Ministry of Special Duties and Intergovernmental Affairs, Onwusoro Maduka Ihemelandu, to the Office of the Accountant General in Abuja.
“We will give bite to these guidelines; we will ensure that this guideline is projected adequately and that it becomes part of the prerequisite documentation for all constituency projects,” Ogunjimi stated.
He added that the Office of the Accountant General of the Federation would integrate the guidelines into discussions at all stakeholder engagements, giving the Ministry of Special Duties a platform to present and advocate for compliance.
Additionally, Ogunjimi noted that upcoming OAGF circulars on project closures and capital spending would highlight adherence to constituency project guidelines as a key requirement.
He also encouraged the Ministry to continue sensitization efforts with government agencies, stakeholders, and the National Assembly to raise awareness and promote compliance.
Earlier, Ihemelandu emphasized the need to halt payments for constituency projects that do not meet the Federal Government’s stipulated guidelines and have not been certified by the Ministry.
He raised concerns that “despite Federal Government’s guidelines and circulars, many Agencies have executed and paid for constituency projects without adherence to the guidelines and circulars and due verification.”
According to Ihemelandu, such practices undermine transparency and hinder the government from getting full value for its investments.
He called for stronger collaboration between the Ministry and OAGF to ensure that “no payments are made for constituency projects unless after verification by [his] Ministry.”
The partnership between both offices aims to enhance accountability and safeguard public funds in the implementation of constituency projects.