Investigation: NIFOR boss submits N100m outstanding vouchers of N100m to Senate panel
Tunde Joshua, Abuja
Executive Director of the Nigerian Institute for Oil Palm Research (NIFOR), Dr. Celestin Ikuenobe, has submitted the outstanding payment vouchers of N100 million to the Senate Public Accounts Committee.
The Senate panel had queried the Institute for spending N210 million without payment vouchers The Trumpet gathered.
The query was consequent upon the report of the Auditor General of the Federation which alleged that infractions against the Institute were committed during the previous administration.
But, the NIFOR Executive Director was able to present N110 million vouchers to the Committee and it was resolved that the Institute should provide the outstanding vouchers of N100 million to the panel two weeks ago
However, at the resumption of the Committee Investigative meeting, the Director presented the outstanding of N100 million to put to rest the allegation of spending the N210 million without payment vouchers.
He presented relevant vouchers for clearance before panel.
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The initial query had read “Four hundred and twenty-three (423) payments totalling ₦210,921,849.66 (Two hundred and ten million, nine hundred and twenty-one thousand, eight hundred and forty-nine naira, sixty-six kobo) were made without payment vouchers and internal audit checks, contrary to Financial Regulations 601 and 1705 which stipulate that all payments must be vouched for, and the head of internal audit unit in all Ministries/Extra-ministerial offices and other arms of government shall ensure that100% pre-payment audit of all checked and passed vouchers is carried out and the vouchers forwarded under security schedule direct to the appropriate central pay office for payment.
“The Executive Director’s response vide Ref. No. OAUGF/EIAD &SD/FMARD/NIFOR/2018/2 dated 30th April 2018, claimed that no payment was made without raising payment voucher and advised that the vouchers in question be attached.”
