PAC scrutiny will enhance accountability across MDAs — Ondo Assembly
by Oyeniwa Elizabeth
The Ondo State House of Assembly has said that the scrutiny of Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) will strengthen accountability and promote transparency in government operations.
The Chairman of the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) and the House Parliamentary Secretary, Hon. Moyinolorun Ogunwumiju, stated this while addressing newsmen after rounding off the public hearing on the Auditor-General’s reports for Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) at the Assembly complex, where financial records for the years 2021, 2022 and 2023 were examined.
He noted that the exercise has reinforced the need for strict adherence to financial regulations and due process.
According to him, a total of 115 MDAs was scheduled to appear before the Public Accounts Committee.
Ogunwumiju explained that the committee’s oversight function is aimed at ensuring that public funds are properly managed and directed towards projects that positively impact the lives of citizens.
According to him, MDAs play a critical role as the engine room of government, making it essential for them to remain accountable in the discharge of their responsibilities.
“For the past one month, we have been sitting repeatedly to analyse and scrutinise the accounts of MDAs, and what we have been able to achieve is an improvement in transparency and accountability in the system.”
The PAC Chairman noted that the exercise involved a thorough review of reports submitted by the Auditor-General, with particular attention given to areas where agencies deviated from established standards.
He added that the committee ensured that such discrepancies were addressed, with affected MDAs required to provide explanations for their actions.
Ogunwumiju disclosed that the scrutiny process revealed several infractions, stressing that appropriate sanctions were imposed where necessary to enforce compliance and deter future violations.
He further explained that, beyond identifying irregularities, the committee also engaged MDAs on how to better align their activities with the needs of the people.
“As representatives of the people, we understand the pressing needs in our constituencies, and we use this platform to guide MDAs on priority areas such as the provision of basic infrastructure and essential services.”
The Chairman emphasised that the committee’s work is contributing to improved service delivery, as agencies are being redirected towards more impactful and people-oriented projects.
While noting that the review of most MDAs for the years under consideration has been concluded, Ogunwumiju said some agencies with unresolved queries have been asked to reappear before the committee.
“We are largely done with the 2021 to 2023 reviews, but a few MDAs will still come back to address outstanding issues that require further clarification,” he said.
He reaffirmed the committee’s commitment to sustaining rigorous oversight, stressing that continuous scrutiny of government activities remains key to ensuring accountability and fostering development across the state.
Earlier, the Director and Licensing Officer to the Public Accounts Committee (PAC), Alhaji Jimoh Ayodele, commended the committee for enhancing accountability and transparency in government activities.
Ayodele, who led a team of auditors to the PAC sitting, noted that one of the major challenges observed in the review of accounts between 2021 and 2023 was the failure of MDAs to respond promptly to audit reports.
According to him, timely responses would have resolved many issues at the audit stage, preventing them from escalating to the committee level.
He stressed that improved compliance in this regard would significantly ease the auditing process and strengthen overall financial management.
He explained that the Office of the Auditor-General remains committed to clearing outstanding accounts, adding that while the 2024 accounts are yet to be considered, work is already ongoing on the 2025 accounts.
He reiterated that the auditors’ responsibility is to review and submit reports to the PAC, which then invites accounting officers to address queries, assuring that the office is prepared to support the committee whenever required.
Ayodele urged Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) to improve their responsiveness to audit queries.
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