The House of Representatives committee on public accounts has on Saturday, November 1, 2014 charged the West African Examination Council, WAEC, over misappropriation of several billions of naira.
The examination council, which receives annual budget worth several billions of naira, reportedly failed to remit its generated revenue Federal account, as stated by the law.
The committee also accused the council for failing to provide update of its audited accounts to the Auditor-General of the Federation and relevant committees of the National Assembly for assessment.
The House Committee thereby resolved to investigate the financial status, assets and expenditure of the council to ensure that there exist accountability and probity in the management of public funds.
The chairman, House Committee on Public Account, Solomon Adeola, who presided over public hearing, expressed concern over the failure ofabout 262 Ministries, Departments and Agencies, MDAs, to provide their audited accounts to the office of the Auditor-General of the Federation as stated by the law that establishes the councils.
“The attitudinal behaviour you, WAEC, have exhibited over the years does not portray the kind of institution Nigerians expect of WAEC. Is it the monumental fraud, or lack of records, or financial Improprieties that have taken place in the institution?
“I was not taken aback when I found your name on that list (of Auditor-General). I was not surprised. It is expected.
“Sir, if you know the amount of fraud accruing to WAEC day in, day out; year in, year out and all that WAEC can tell Nigerians is that they only submitted their audited account up to 2010? And as a result of our insistence that made them rush down with 2011 and 2012 while 2013 is still awaiting the signature of the Council.
“Aside from that, WAEC, all money accruing to you, you don’t report anything to the Federal Government, yet you still collect subventions like others. Money accruing to WAEC going to several billions of naira, and that same institution does not render account as at when due, even when state governments now pick up your bills for all schools? I’m not surprised.
“You are an endangered species and we need to take care of you specially. So, it’s a special investigation to be conducted on WAEC.
“This committee is going to be investigating WAEC for 2011, 2012 and 2013. We’re not insinuating anything, but it’s only fair and proper that an institution like WAEC that is generating much revenue annually must account for how that revenue is spent.
“I know that a whole lot of activities including contracts are being awarded by WAEC. We want to know how much is generated by the sale of forms and how much subvention is paid to the headquarters in Accra as well as other expenditures,” he stated.
